KR100511794B1 - Method for driving plasma display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of driving a plasma display panel that can improve display quality.

In the plasma display panel driving method, a plurality of scan electrodes, a sustain electrode and an address electrode are formed, and a method of driving a plasma display panel in which an image is displayed by dividing one frame period into a plurality of subfields is provided. Among the arranged subfields, at least one priming subfield is disposed between the n-1 th subfield where no discharge occurs (where n is a positive integer of 3 or more) and the n th subfield where the discharge occurs. .

Description

Driving Method of Plasma Display Panel {METHOD FOR DRIVING PLASMA DISPLAY PANEL}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plasma display panel, and more particularly, to a method of driving a plasma display panel capable of improving display quality.

In today's information society, display elements are more important than ever as visual information transfer media. Cathode ray tubes or cathode ray tubes, which are currently mainstream, have problems with weight and volume. Many kinds of flat panel displays have been developed to overcome the limitations of the cathode ray tube.

Such flat panel displays include liquid crystal displays, plasma display panels (PDPs), field emission displays, and electro-luminescence.

Among such flat panel display devices, the plasma display panel emits phosphors by 147 nm ultraviolet rays generated when the He + Xe, Ne + Xe or He + Xe + Ne gas is discharged to display images and video including characters or graphics. . The plasma display panel is not only thin and large in size, but also recently, due to technology development, the plasma display panel provides greatly improved image quality.

In particular, the three-electrode AC surface discharge type plasma display panel accumulates wall charges by using a dielectric layer during discharge, thereby lowering the voltage required for discharge. Have

1 is a perspective view showing a discharge cell structure of a typical three-electrode AC surface discharge type plasma display panel.

Referring to FIG. 1, a discharge cell of a three-pole current alternating surface discharge plasma display panel is formed on a scan electrode (Y) and a sustain electrode (Z) formed on an upper substrate (10), and a lower substrate (18). The address electrode X is provided.

Each of the scan electrode Y and the sustain electrode Z has a line width smaller than that of the transparent electrodes 12Y and 12Z and the transparent electrodes 12Y and 12Z and is formed on one side edge of the transparent electrode. 13Z). Indium tin oxide (ITO) is generally used as a material of the transparent electrodes 12Y and 12Z. As the material of the metal bus electrodes 13Y and 13Z, a metal such as chromium (Cr) is usually used. The metal bus electrodes 13Y and 13Z serve to reduce voltage drop caused by the transparent electrodes 12Y and 12Z having high resistance.

The upper dielectric layer 14 and the passivation layer 16 are stacked on the upper substrate 10 having the scan electrode Y and the sustain electrode Z side by side. In the upper dielectric layer 14, charged particles (wall charges) generated during gas discharge ionization (plasma) discharge are accumulated. The protective layer 16 protects the upper dielectric layer 14 from sputtering of charged particles generated during gas discharge ionization (plasma) discharge and increases the emission efficiency of secondary electrons. As the bottom film 16, magnesium oxide (MgO) is usually used.

The address electrode X is formed in the direction crossing the scan electrode Y and the sustain electrode Z. The lower dielectric layer 22 and the partition wall 24 are formed on the lower substrate 18 on which the address electrode X is formed. The phosphor layer 26 is formed on the surfaces of the lower dielectric layer 22 and the partition wall 24.

The partition wall 24 is formed to be parallel to the address electrode X to physically distinguish the discharge cells, and prevent ultraviolet rays and visible light generated by the discharge from leaking to the adjacent discharge cells. The phosphor layer 26 is emitted by ultraviolet rays generated during gas discharge to generate visible light of any one of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). An inert mixed gas such as He + Xe, Ne + Xe or He + Xe + Ne for discharging is injected into the discharge space provided between the upper and lower substrates 10 and 18 and the partition wall 24.

2 is a frame diagram illustrating a driving method of a general plasma display panel.

Referring to FIG. 2, such a three-electrode AC surface discharge type plasma display panel is driven by dividing one frame into several subfields having different emission counts in order to realize gray levels of an image. For example, when a picture is to be displayed with 265 gray levels, one frame period (16.67 ms) corresponding to 1/60 second is divided into eight subfields (SF). Each of the eight subfields SF is further divided into a reset period for uniformly generating a discharge, an address period for selecting a Banggen cell, and a sustain period for implementing gray levels according to the number of discharges. The reset period and the address period of each subfield SF are the same for each subfield, as shown in FIG. 3, while the sustain period and the number of discharges thereof are 2 ⁿ in each subfield (where n = 0, 1). , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) is increased in proportion. In this way, gray levels can be implemented by using a combination of subfields having different sustain periods.

BACKGROUND ART A plasma display panel mainly using the ADS (Adress Display separated) driving method requires high definition, high brightness, high contrast ratio, low contour noise, and the like to realize high quality image quality.

The ADS driving method of the plasma display panel is divided into a selective erasing (SE) method and a selective writing (SW) method according to whether or not the discharge cells are lighted by the discharge in the address period.

In the selective erase (SE) driving method, the entire screen is turned on by writing and discharging the entire screen in the reset period, and then the discharge cells are selectively turned off in the address period. Subsequently, in the sustain period, an image is displayed by sustaining (holding) the discharge cells not selected in the address period. The selective erasing (SE) method has a disadvantage in that contrast is lowered because the front surface is turned on in the front lighting period, which is a non-display period for each frame or each subfield, and thus the utilization is not high.

In the selective write (SW) driving method, all screens are turned off in a reset period, and then discharge cells are selectively discharged in a sustain period in an address period to turn on. Turn-On). Subsequently, in the sustain period, an image is displayed by sustaining (holding) the discharge cells selected by the address discharge in the address period. The selective write (SW) method has a higher contrast than the selective erase (SE) method by selectively turning-on cells to be sustained (sustained) in the sustain period in the sustain period.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating waveforms applied to respective electrodes of the plasma display panel in the fourth subfield period in the frame diagram shown in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 4, the plasma display panel of the selective writing method divides one frame into a plurality of subfields SF. Each of the divided subfields SF is driven by being divided into a relet period for initializing the full screen, an address period for selecting a cell, and a sustain period for maintaining discharge of the selected cell.

The reset period is divided into a set up period and a set down period according to waveforms applied to the scan electrode Y and the sustain electrode Z. FIG. During the setup period, the rising ramp waveform Ramp-Up is applied to all the scan electrodes Y simultaneously. The ground voltage GND is applied to the sustain electrode Z and the address electrode X during the setup period. The rising ramp waveform causes a priming discharge to occur between the scan electrode (Y) and the address electrode (X) and between the scan electrode (Y) and the sustain electrode (Z) in the cells of the full screen. Due to the priming discharge, positive wall charges are accumulated on the address electrode X and the sustain electrode Z, and negative wall charges are accumulated on the scan electrode Y.

During the set-down period, after the rising ramp waveform is supplied, the ramp ramp starts to fall from the positive voltage lower than the peak voltage of the rising ramp waveform and then falls to the ground voltage (GND) or the negative voltage value (Ramp-Down). It is simultaneously applied to the electrodes Y. At the same time, a positive polarity (+) DC voltage (Vs) having the same magnitude as that of the sustain pulse is applied to the sustain electrode (Z), which is a common electrode, and a ground voltage (0 [V]) to the address electrode (X). Is applied. When the falling ramp waveform is applied, a setdown discharge is generated between the scan electrode Y and the sustain electrode Z. This set-down discharge eliminates excessive wall charges unnecessary for the address discharge among the wall charges generated during the setup period.

In the address period, a negative scan pulse Scan is sequentially applied to the scan electrodes Y, and at the same time, positive data (+) is applied to the address electrodes X in synchronization with the scan pulse Scan. Data) is applied. As the voltage difference between the scan pulse and the data and the wall voltage due to the wall charge generated in the reset period are added, an address discharge is generated in the cell to which the data is applied. In the cells selected by the address discharge, wall charges such that discharge can occur when the sustain voltage Vs is applied are formed. On the other hand, the sustain electrode Z is supplied with the positive DC voltage Vs having the same magnitude as the voltage value of the sustain pulse during the set down period and the address period.

In the sustain period, sustain pulses Sus and Susz having a sustain voltage Vs are applied to the scan electrodes Y and the sustain electrodes Z alternately. The cell selected by the address discharge has a sustain voltage between the scan electrode (Y) and the sustain electrode (Z) whenever the sustain pulse (Susy, Susz) is applied as the wall voltage and sustain pulses (Susy, Susz) are added. Discharge), that is, display discharge.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-135238 discloses that the xenon (Xe) content of the discharge gas enclosed in the plasma display panel (PDP) is increased to 5% or more to provide a conventional low density Xe panel. Compared to this, a plasma display panel having a higher driving voltage but higher luminance is disclosed. However, in the high density Xe panel, as the content of Xe increases, the jitter value of the address period increases, so that address discharge becomes unstable.

If the address discharge becomes unstable, the cell may not be selected in the sustain period, or the cell may not be selected in the sustain period due to the increased driving voltage due to the increase of Xe content. writing) occurs.

5A to 5D are diagrams illustrating subfields in which mis-discharge may occur.

Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5D, the misdischarge that degrades the display quality of the plasma display panel may not be discharged in the previous subfields SF among the plurality of subfields SF constituting one frame. It is generated in the subfields SF in which the discharge is generated to represent the gray scale value. The subfields SF expressing the specific grayscale value include the fifth subfield SF4 representing the grayscale value of "16", the sixth subfield SF5 representing the grayscale value of "32", The seventh subfield SF6 representing the grayscale value of "64" and the eighth subfield SF7 representing the grayscale value of "128".

Since the specific grayscale values do not generate discharge in the previous subfields SF and thus need to generate an address discharge in a state where there is no priming charge, the address discharge becomes unstable. If the address discharge becomes unstable, a phenomenon in which a cell which causes sustain discharge cannot be selected in the sustain period occurs, and black noise appears in the display image, thereby degrading the display quality of the plasma display panel.

In order to solve this problem, when the driving voltage of the plasma display panel is increased, the address discharge is stabilized, but the cell to which the sustain discharge is not generated in the sustain period is selected by the increased driving voltage, and the selected cells cause the discharge to display the plasma display panel. There is a problem of degrading quality.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for driving a plasma display panel which can improve display quality.

In order to achieve the above object, a plasma display panel driving method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of scan electrodes, a sustain electrode, and an address electrode formed thereon, and displays an image by dividing a frame period into a plurality of subfields. In the driving method of a display panel, n-1 th (where n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 3) subfields in which no discharge occurs when expressing a specific gray level among subfields arranged within the one frame period and nth where discharge occurs At least one priming subfield is disposed between the subfields.

delete

The priming subfield of the plasma display panel driving method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is divided into a reset period, an address period, and a sustain period.

A method of driving a plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that priming wall charges are generated inside the plasma display panel through sustain discharge during the sustain period.

The method of driving a plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the sustain period of the priming subfield is set to express a gray scale value of "5" or less.

The driving method of the plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that scan pulses applied to the plurality of scan electrodes are sequentially applied to the scan electrodes in the period of the plurality of subfields.

The method of driving a plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that scan pulses applied to the plurality of scan electrodes are simultaneously applied to at least two scan electrodes in the priming subfield period.

In the method of driving a plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, scan pulses applied to the plurality of scan electrodes in the priming subfield period are simultaneously applied to the odd scan electrodes of the scan electrodes, and the odd scan electrodes. After being applied to, it is characterized in that it is applied simultaneously to the even-numbered scan electrode of the scan electrode.

In the method of driving a plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, scan pulses applied to the plurality of scan electrodes in the priming subfield period are simultaneously applied to the plurality of scan electrodes.

The one frame of the method of driving a plasma display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the period of 1/60 seconds.

The one frame of the plasma display panel driving method according to an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the period of 1/50 seconds.

Other objects and features of the present invention in addition to the above objects will be apparent from the description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, a driving method of the plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12.

6 is a perspective view illustrating a discharge cell structure of a three-electrode AC surface discharge plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the discharge cells of the three-pole current alternating current surface discharge plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a scan electrode Y and a sustain electrode Z formed on the upper substrate 110, and a lower substrate. An address electrode X formed on 118 is provided.

Each of the scan electrode Y and the sustain electrode Z has a line width smaller than that of the transparent electrodes 112Y and 112Z and the transparent electrodes 112Y and 112Z, and the metal bus electrodes 113Y, which are formed at one edge of the transparent electrode, respectively. 113Z). Indium tin oxide (ITO) is generally used as a material of the transparent electrodes 112Y and 112Z. As a material of the metal bus electrodes 113Y and 113Z, a metal such as chromium (Cr) is usually used. The metal bus electrodes 113Y and 113Z serve to reduce voltage drop caused by the transparent electrodes 112Y and 112Z having high resistance.

An upper dielectric layer 114 and a passivation layer 116 are stacked on the upper substrate 110 having the scan electrode Y and the sustain electrode Z side by side. In the upper dielectric layer 114, charged particles (wall charges) generated during gas discharge ionization (plasma) discharge are accumulated. The passivation layer 116 protects the upper dielectric layer 114 from sputtering of charged particles generated during gas discharge ionization (plasma) discharge and increases emission efficiency of secondary electrons. As the lower layer 116, magnesium oxide (MgO) is usually used.

The address electrode X is formed in the direction crossing the scan electrode Y and the sustain electrode Z. The lower dielectric layer 122 and the partition wall 124 are formed on the lower substrate 118 on which the address electrode X is formed. The phosphor layer 126 is formed on the surfaces of the lower dielectric layer 122 and the partition wall 124.

The partition wall 124 is formed in parallel with the address electrode X to physically distinguish the discharge cells, and prevent the ultraviolet rays and the visible light generated by the discharge from leaking to the adjacent discharge cells. The phosphor layer 126 emits light by ultraviolet rays generated during gas discharge to generate visible light of any one of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). An inert mixed gas such as He + Xe, Ne + Xe or He + Xe + Ne for discharging is injected into the discharge space provided between the upper and lower substrates 110 and 118 and the partition wall 124.

7 is a frame diagram illustrating a method of driving a plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is driven by dividing one frame into several subfields having different emission counts in order to realize gray levels of an image. For example, when a picture is to be displayed with 265 gray levels, one frame period (16.67 ms) corresponding to 1/60 second is between 8 subfields (SF) and 8 subfields (SF). It is divided into at least one priming subfield (PSF) that is formed in the to generate a priming discharge. Each of the eight subfields SF and the priming subfields PSF is further divided into a reset period for generating a discharge uniformly, an address period for selecting a Banggen cell, and a sustain period for implementing gray levels according to the number of discharges. . The reset period and the address period of each subfield SF are the same for each subfield, as shown in FIG. 8, while the sustain period and the number of discharges thereof are 2 ⁿ (where n = 0, 1 in each subfield). , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) is increased in proportion. The reset period, the address period, the sustain period, and the sustain discharge number of the priming subfields PSF formed between the plurality of subfields SF are all set equally. As such, gray scales can be implemented by combining subfields SF having different sustain periods.

BACKGROUND ART A plasma display panel mainly using the ADS (Adress Display separated) driving method requires high definition, high brightness, high contrast ratio, low contour noise, and the like to realize high quality image quality.

The ADS driving method of the plasma display panel is classified into a selective erase (SE) method and a selective write (SW) method according to whether or not the discharge cells are lighted by the discharge in the address period.

In the selective erase (SE) driving method, the entire screen is turned on by writing and discharging the entire screen in the reset period, and then the discharge cells are selectively turned off in the address period. Subsequently, in the sustain period, an image is displayed by sustaining (holding) the discharge cells not selected in the address period. The selective erasing (SE) method has a disadvantage in that contrast is lowered because the front surface is turned on in the front lighting period, which is a non-display period for each frame or each subfield, and thus the utilization is not high.

In the selective write (SW) driving method, all screens are turned off in a reset period, and then discharge cells are selectively discharged in a sustain period in an address period to turn on. Turn-On). Subsequently, in the sustain period, an image is displayed by sustaining (holding) the discharge cells selected by the address discharge in the address period. The selective write (SW) method has a higher contrast than the selective erase (SE) method by selectively turning-on cells to be sustained (sustained) in the sustain period in the sustain period.

9 is a diagram illustrating waveforms applied to respective electrodes of the plasma display panel in the first priming subfield and the fifth subfield period.

Referring to FIG. 9, a plasma display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention divides one frame into a plurality of subfields SF and a priming subfield PSF, and mis-discharge may be generated among the plurality of subfields SF. The priming subfield PSF is placed in front of the possible subfield SF.

Each subfield SF and priming subfield PSF are driven by being divided into a relet period for initializing the full screen, an address period for selecting a cell, and a sustain period for maintaining discharge of the selected cell. The priming subfield PSF is an n-1 th subfield (where n is a positive integer of 3 or more) in which no discharge occurs when expressing a specific gray scale among subfields arranged within one frame period, and the n th subfield in which discharge occurs. At least one is disposed between.

The reset period is divided into a set up period and a set down period according to waveforms applied to the scan electrode Y and the sustain electrode Z. FIG. During the setup period, the rising ramp waveform Ramp-Up is applied to all the scan electrodes Y simultaneously. The ground voltage GND is applied to the sustain electrode Z and the address electrode X during the setup period. The rising ramp waveform causes a priming discharge to occur between the scan electrode (Y) and the address electrode (X) and between the scan electrode (Y) and the sustain electrode (Z) in the cells of the full screen. Due to the priming discharge, positive wall charges are accumulated on the address electrode X and the sustain electrode Z, and negative wall charges are accumulated on the scan electrode Y.

In the set-down period, after the rising ramp waveform is applied to the public, the falling ramp waveform (Ramp-Down) begins to fall from the positive voltage lower than the peak voltage of the rising ramp waveform to the ground voltage (GND) or the negative voltage value. It is simultaneously applied to the scan electrodes (Y). At the same time, a positive polarity (+) DC voltage (Vs) having the same magnitude as that of the sustain pulse is applied to the sustain electrode (Z), which is a common electrode, and a ground voltage (0 [V]) to the address electrode (X). Is applied. When the falling ramp waveform is applied, a setdown discharge is generated between the scan electrode Y and the sustain electrode Z. This set-down discharge eliminates excessive wall charges unnecessary for the address discharge among the wall charges generated during the setup period.

In the method of driving a plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10 in the address period of the first to eighth subfields SF1 to SF8, a negative polarity (−) having a value of −Vy is shown. The scan pulse Scan is sequentially applied to the scan electrodes Y, and at the same time, positive data (+) is applied to the address electrodes X in synchronization with the scan pulse Scan. As the voltage difference between the scan pulse and the data and the wall voltage due to the wall charge generated in the reset period are added, an address discharge is generated in the cell to which the data is applied. In the cells selected by the address discharge, wall charges such that discharge can occur when the sustain voltage Vs is applied are formed. On the other hand, the sustain electrode Z is supplied with the positive DC voltage Vs having the same magnitude as the voltage value of the sustain pulse during the set down period and the address period.

In the method of driving a plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11 in the address periods of the first and second priming subfields PSF1 and PSF2, a negative polarity (−) having a value of −Vy is shown. Scan pulses of are simultaneously applied to the odd scan electrodes (Y), are simultaneously applied to the odd scan electrodes (Y) and then applied to the even scan electrodes (Y) at the same time. A negative scan pulse Scan having a value of -Vy is applied to the odd and even scan electrodes Y, and a positive polarity is applied to the address electrodes X in synchronization with the scan pulse Scan. Positive data is applied.

As the voltage difference between the scan pulse and the data and the wall voltage due to the wall charge generated in the reset period are added, an address discharge is generated in the cell to which the data is applied. In the cells selected by the address discharge, wall charges such that discharge can occur when the sustain voltage Vs is applied are formed. On the other hand, the sustain electrode Z is supplied with the positive DC voltage Vs having the same magnitude as the voltage value of the sustain pulse during the set down period and the address period.

In the method of driving a plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a scan pulse applied to the scan electrode Y in the address periods of the first and second priming subfields PSF1 and PSF2 described above is illustrated in FIG. 12. As shown, it can be applied to all the scan electrodes (Y) at the same time. A negative scan pulse (-) having a value of -Vy is applied to all the scan electrodes (Y) and at the same time, the positive electrode (+) is applied to the address electrodes (X) in synchronization with the scan pulse (Scan). Data is applied. As the voltage difference between the scan pulse and the data and the wall voltage due to the wall charge generated in the reset period are added, an address discharge is generated in the cell to which the data is applied. In the cells selected by the address discharge, wall charges such that discharge can occur when the sustain voltage Vs is applied are formed. On the other hand, the sustain electrode Z is supplied with the positive DC voltage Vs having the same magnitude as the voltage value of the sustain pulse during the set down period and the address period.

In the sustain period, sustain pulses Sus and Susz having a sustain voltage Vs are applied to the scan electrodes Y and the sustain electrodes Z alternately. The cell selected by the address discharge has a sustain voltage between the scan electrode (Y) and the sustain electrode (Z) whenever the sustain pulse (Susy, Susz) is applied as the wall voltage and sustain pulses (Susy, Susz) are added. Discharge), that is, display discharge.

The first to eighth subfields SF are sustain (sustain) pulses Sus and Susz applied to the scan electrode Y and the sustain electrode Z in the sustain period according to the gray value of each subfield SF. ), The priming subfields PSF are set equal to the number of sustain pulses Susy and Susz that are applied in the sustain period.

The number of sustain pulses Susy and Susz applied to the sustain periods of the priming subfields PSF is set to represent gray levels of 1 to 5. The sustain pulses Susy and Susz applied in the sustain period of the priming subfield PSF are set to express gray scales of 1 to 5 of the address periods of the subfield SF located after the priming subfield PSF. This is to form a priming wall charge to prevent erroneous discharge. Further, in order not to affect the gradation of the subfield SF located after the priming subfield PSF, the gradation of the low gradation 1 to 5 is set.

In the method of driving a plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the priming subfield PSF is disposed in front of the subfield SF in which mis-discharge may occur. In this mis-discharge, the discharge is not generated in the previous subfields SF among the plurality of subfields SF constituting one frame, but in the subfields SF where the discharge is generated to express a specific gray scale value. Is generated. The subfields SF expressing the specific grayscale value include the fifth subfield SF4 representing the grayscale value of "16", the sixth subfield SF5 representing the grayscale value of "32", The seventh subfield SF6 representing the grayscale value of "64" and the eighth subfield SF7 representing the grayscale value of "128".

Since the specific grayscale values do not generate discharge in the previous subfields SF and thus need to generate an address discharge in the address period in the absence of the priming charge, the address discharge becomes unstable.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a driving method of a plasma display panel includes a first priming subfield PSF1 in front of a fifth subfield SF5 or a seventh subfield SF7 which is a subfield SF in which misdischarge may occur. The second priming subfield PSF2 is disposed to form priming wall charges through the priming discharges during the priming subfields PSF, and thus, during the address periods of the fifth subfield SF5 and the seventh subfield SF7. Address discharge can be stabilized.

Although the priming subfield PSF has been described as being disposed before the fifth and seventh subfields SF5 and SF7, not only the fifth and seventh subfields SF5 and SF7 but also a subfield in which an erroneous discharge may occur. One priming subfield PSF may be disposed in front of the SF, or a plurality of priming subfields PSF may be disposed in front of all subfields SF in which an erroneous discharge may occur.

In the above-described driving method of the plasma display panel, the driving voltage has to be increased to stabilize the address discharge during the address period. However, the driving method of the plasma display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention includes at least one priming subfield of the frame period. By disposing the PSF, the address discharge can be stabilized during the address period without raising the driving voltage. In addition, the plasma display panel, which has increased the Xe content by 5% or more, to improve the display quality by increasing the brightness, prevents misdischarges caused by the increased driving voltage, thereby improving the display quality of the plasma display panel. Can be improved.

In the above-described method of driving a plasma display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, one frame is set to a period (16.67 ms) corresponding to 1/60 second, and the one frame is divided into eight subfields and the image is divided into 256 gray levels. Although the method is described as a method of displaying, the present invention can also be applied to a driving method for setting one frame to a period of 20 ms corresponding to 1/50 second. The present invention can also be applied to a driving method for dividing one frame into eight or more subfields. The present invention can also be applied to a driving method in which the gradation expression is lower or higher than 256 gradations.

As described above, the driving method of the plasma display panel according to the embodiment of the present invention is to discharge without discharging the previous subfield, i.e., the n-th (where n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 3) when expressing a specific gradation. The priming subfield may be placed in front of the nth subfield to occur to generate priming wall charges in the cell before the nth subfield is started, thereby stabilizing address discharge of the subfield SF, thereby preventing mis-discharge. The display quality of the display panel can be improved.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification but should be defined by the claims.

1 is a perspective view showing a discharge cell structure of a typical three-electrode AC surface discharge type plasma display panel.

2 is a frame diagram illustrating a driving method of a general plasma display panel.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating waveforms applied to each subfield according to the frame diagram shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating waveforms applied to respective electrodes of the plasma display panel in the fourth subfield period in the frame diagram shown in FIG. 2.

5A to 5D are diagrams illustrating subfields in which mis-discharge may occur.

6 is a perspective view illustrating a discharge cell structure of a three-electrode AC surface discharge plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a frame diagram illustrating a method of driving a plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating waveforms applied to each subfield according to the frame diagram shown in FIG. 7.

9 is a diagram illustrating waveforms applied to respective electrodes of the plasma display panel in the first priming subfield and the fifth subfield period.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a scan pulse applied to a scan electrode in an address period of a general subfield.

11 and 12 illustrate scan pulses applied to a scan electrode in an address period of a priming subfield.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10,110: Upper board 18,118: Lower board

Y: scan electrode Z: sustain electrode

X: address electrode 12Y, 12Z, 112Y, 112Z: transparent electrode

13Y, 13Z, 113Y, 113Z: metal bus electrode 14, 114: upper dielectric layer

16,116: protective film 22,122: lower dielectric layer

24,124: partition 26,126: phosphor layer

SF: subfield PSF: priming subfield

Claims (11)

A method of driving a plasma display panel in which a plurality of scan electrodes, a sustain electrode and an address electrode are formed, and a frame period is divided into a plurality of subfields to display an image. At least one priming between the n-1 th subfield (where n is a positive integer of 3 or more) and the n th subfield in which discharge occurs when expressing a specific gradation among subfields arranged within the one frame period. A method of driving a plasma display panel, comprising subfields. delete The method of claim 1, And the priming subfield is driven by being divided into a reset period, an address period, and a sustain period. The method of claim 3, wherein And priming wall charges are generated in the plasma display panel through the sustain discharge during the sustain period. The method of claim 4, wherein And the sustain period of the priming subfield is set to express a gray scale value of " 5 " or less. The method of claim 1, And a scan pulse applied to the plurality of scan electrodes in the period of the plurality of subfields is sequentially applied to the scan electrodes. The method of claim 1, And a scan pulse applied to the plurality of scan electrodes in the priming subfield period is simultaneously applied to at least two scan electrodes. The method of claim 7, wherein Scan pulses applied to the plurality of scan electrodes in the priming subfield period are simultaneously applied to the odd scan electrodes of the scan electrodes, and simultaneously applied to the even scan scan electrodes of the scan electrodes after being applied to the odd scan electrodes. A method of driving a plasma display panel, characterized in that applied. The method of claim 7, wherein And a scan pulse applied to the plurality of scan electrodes in the priming subfield period is simultaneously applied to the plurality of scan electrodes. The method of claim 1, And said one frame is a period of 1/60 second. The method of claim 1, And said one frame is a period of 1/50 second.