KR100741108B1 - Apparatus for driving plasma display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for driving a display panel is provided to reduce image streaking and border effects between electrode blocks by crossing X-connectors and Y-connectors. A display panel includes X-electrodes and Y-electrodes which are alternatively arranged to display an image. X-connectors(X1 to X5) are disposed on one side of the panel to divide the X-electrodes into plural X-electrode blocks. The X-connectors serve as a connection terminal for supplying a power to each of X-electrode blocks. Y-connectors(Y1 to Y5) are disposed on the other side of the panel to divide the Y-electrodes into plural Y-electrode blocks. The Y-connectors serve as a connection terminal for supplying a power to each of Y-electrode blocks.

Description

Apparatus for driving plasma display panel

1 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a three-electrode surface discharge plasma display panel to which a driving device of a display panel according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an apparatus for driving a plasma display panel for driving the plasma display panel of FIG. 1.

3 is a timing diagram illustrating an embodiment of a drive signal output from each driver of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing that Y connectors and X connectors are alternately disposed on both sides of the plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings>

22: logic controller, 23: address driver,

24: X drive unit, 25: Y drive unit,

X1 to X5: X connector, Y1 to Y6: Y connector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a driving device of a display panel, and more particularly, an X electrode and a Y electrode are alternately arranged, and a sustain pulse is alternately applied to the X electrode and the Y electrode to cause a sustain discharge to display an image. It relates to a driving device of the display panel for driving the.

As flat panel display devices, plasma display panels (PDPs), which are easy to manufacture large panels, have attracted attention. A plasma display panel is a display device that displays an image by using a discharge phenomenon. In general, a plasma display panel can be classified into a direct current type and an alternating current type according to the type of driving voltage. Due to the disadvantages, the development of the AC plasma display panel has been made a lot.

An AC plasma display panel includes a three-electrode AC surface discharge type plasma display panel having three electrodes and driven by an AC voltage. A typical three-electrode surface discharge type plasma display panel is composed of a multi-layered plate, which is spatially advantageous because it can provide a thinner, lighter, and wider screen than a conventional cathode ray tube (CRT).

As an example of a conventional plasma display panel, a three-electrode surface discharge plasma display panel, a driving apparatus thereof, and a driving method thereof are disclosed in US Patent No. 6,744,218 (name: Method of driving a plasma display panel in which the). width of display sustain pulse varies). Matters related to the plasma display panel, the driving apparatus, and the driving method disclosed in the above-described US patent are included in the present specification, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The plasma display panel includes a plurality of display cells formed in an area where the sustain electrode and the address electrode cross each other, and one display cell includes three discharge cells (red, green, and blue). The gray level of the image is expressed by adjusting the discharge state. The sustain electrode consists of an X electrode and a Y electrode.

In order to express the gray scale of the plasma display panel, one frame applied to the plasma display panel may be configured with eight subfields having different emission counts to express 256 gray scales. That is, in the case where the image is to be displayed with 256 gray levels, the frame period (16.67 ms) corresponding to 1/60 second is divided into eight subfields. There is a reset period, an address period, and a sustain discharge period in each of the sub-fields to drive the plasma display panel.

All discharge cells are initialized in the reset period. The discharge cells to be displayed are selected in the address period. In the sustain discharge period, display discharge occurs in discharge cells selected in the address period among all the discharge cells.

For this driving, the plasma display panel applies power to the X electrode and the Y electrode through the X connectors and the Y connectors, respectively. In this case, the X connectors and the Y connectors divide the entire electrode lines connected to the blocks into several blocks, and have a connector for supplying power in block units.

That is, in the conventional HD plasma display panel, the Y electrode lines are divided into six blocks, and each block is supplied with power through one Y connector. In addition, the X electrode lines are divided into three or four blocks, and each block is powered through one X connector.

In addition, the Y connectors and the X connectors are respectively located at both sides of the panel, and the boundary space between the Y connectors and the boundary space between the X connectors is typically located at the electrode lines forming the same discharge cell. Therefore, the waveform of the sustain pulse may vary between the connectors due to the difference in impedance between the connectors, the difference in junction resistance of the connectors, and the like.

However, when an impedance difference occurs between neighboring connectors, there is a problem that a luminance step or boundary effect between blocks due to a difference in discharge delay or light quantity may occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a driving apparatus of a display panel which allows the X connector and the Y connector to cross each other so as to reduce the luminance step and the boundary effect between the blocks.

The present invention relates to a display panel in which X electrodes and Y electrodes are alternately arranged side by side, and displays an image by alternately applying pulse voltages to the X electrodes and Y electrodes. A X connector located at one side of the panel to be a connection terminal for supplying power to each of the X electrode block units; And a Y connector which divides the Y electrodes into a plurality of Y electrode blocks and becomes a connection terminal for supplying power to each of the Y electrode blocks, and is positioned to alternate with the X connector on the other side of the panel. It provides a driving device of the display panel.

The X connector center line where the X connector and the Y connector cross the center of the X connector in the direction in which the X electrode extends, and the Y connector center line which cross the center of the Y connector in the direction in which the Y electrode extends are crossed with each other. It is preferable to arrange | position so that it may rotate.

The X connector and the Y connector are preferably arranged such that a Y connector center line passing through the center of the Y connector in the direction in which the Y electrode extends passes through the space between the X connectors.

The X connector and the Y connector are preferably arranged such that the space between the Y connectors and the space between the X connectors are mutually staggered.

It is preferable that the number of the Y connectors is different from the number of the X connectors.

The number of the Y connectors is even and the number of the X connectors is odd.

The number of the Y connectors is odd, and the number of the X connectors is even.

A discharge cell is defined in an area where the X and Y electrodes and the address electrode intersect, and a drive control signal including an X drive control signal, a Y drive control signal, and an A drive control signal according to an image signal to be displayed. A logic control unit to generate the X driving control signal, the X driving unit processing the X driving control signal and applying the X electrodes, a Y driving unit processing the Y driving control signal and applying the Y electrodes, and the A driving control signal It is preferable to include an address driver for applying the address electrodes.

According to the present invention, the X connector and the Y connector are positioned to cross each other, so that the luminance step and the boundary effect between the blocks can be reduced.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an internal perspective view showing the structure of a three-electrode surface discharge plasma display panel.

Referring to the drawings, between the front and rear glass substrates 10 and 13 of the surface discharge plasma display panel 1, the address electrode lines A _{R1 to} A _Bm , the dielectric layers 11 and 15, and the Y electrode line (Y ₁ to Y _n ), X electrode lines (X ₁ to X _n ), fluorescent layer 16, partition wall 17, and magnesium monoxide (MgO) layer 12 as a protective layer are provided.

The address electrode lines A _{R1 to} A _Bm are formed in a predetermined pattern on the front side of the rear glass substrate 13. The lower dielectric layer 15 is applied to the entire surface in front of the address electrode lines A _{R1 to} A _Bm . In front of the lower dielectric layer 15, barrier ribs 17 are formed in a direction parallel to the address electrode lines A _{R1 to} A _Bm . These partitions 17 function to partition the discharge area of each discharge cell 14 and to prevent optical cross talk between each discharge cell 14. The fluorescent layer 16 is formed on the inner surface of the space formed between the lower dielectric layer 15 and the partition walls 17 formed on the rear glass substrate 13.

The X electrode lines X ₁ to X _n and the Y electrode lines Y ₁ to Y _n have a constant pattern on the rear side of the front glass substrate 10 to be orthogonal to the address electrode lines A _{R1 to} A _Bm . Is formed. Each intersection sets a corresponding discharge cell 14. Each X electrode line (X _{1 to} X _n ) and each Y electrode line (Y _{1 to} Y _n ) are combined with a transparent electrode line made of a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and a metal electrode line for increasing conductivity. Is formed. Here, the X electrode lines X ₁ to X _n become sustain electrodes in the respective discharge cells 14, and the Y electrode lines Y ₁ to Y _n correspond to scan electrodes in the respective discharge cells 14. And become an address electrode in the discharge cell 14 of each of the address electrode lines A _{R1 to} A _Bm .

In this case, scan electrodes are sequentially applied to select discharge cells to be displayed on the Y electrode lines. In addition, the X electrode lines become sustain electrodes that cause sustain discharge between the Y electrode lines.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an apparatus for driving a plasma display panel for driving the plasma display panel of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawing, the driving device 20 of the plasma display panel 1 includes an image processor 21, a logic controller 22, an address driver 23, an X driver 24, and a Y driver 25. do. The image processor 21 converts an external analog image signal into a digital signal to generate internal image signals. The internal video signal may be 8 bits of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) image data, a clock signal, a vertical and horizontal synchronization signal, and the like. The logic controller 22 generates driving control signals S _A , S _Y , and S _X according to an internal image signal from the image processor 21.

In this case, the driving unit such as the address driver 23, the X driver 24, and the Y driver 25 receives input from the driving control signals S _A , S _Y , and S _X , and generates respective driving signals. The applied driving signal to each of the electrode lines.

That is, the address driver 23 applies the display data signal corresponding to the address signal S _A input from the logic controller 22 to the address electrode lines. The X driver 24 processes the X driving control signal S _X input from the logic controller 22 and applies the X driving control signal S _X to the X electrode lines. The Y driver 25 processes the Y driving control signal S _Y input from the logic controller 22 and applies it to the Y electrode lines.

3 is a timing diagram illustrating an embodiment of a drive signal output from each driver of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings, a unit frame for driving the plasma display panel (1 of FIG. 3) is divided into a plurality of subfields, and each subfield SF includes a reset period PR, an address period PA, and a sustain period. Divided into (PS).

First, in the reset period PR, a reset pulse consisting of a rising pulse and a falling pulse is applied to the Y electrodes Y ₁ , ..., Y _n , and the X electrodes X ₁ , ..., X _n. ) Is applied with a second voltage (bias voltage) from the time when the falling pulse is applied to perform reset discharge. All discharge cells are initialized by reset discharge. The rising pulse rises from the sustain discharge voltage (Vs) by the rising voltage (V _set ) and finally reaches the rising maximum voltage (V _set + Vs), and the falling pulse falls from the sustain discharge voltage (Vs) and finally falls The voltage V _nf is reached.

In the address period PA, scanning pulses are sequentially applied to the Y electrodes Y ₁ ,..., And Y _n , and A electrodes A ₁ ,..., A _m are displayed in accordance with the scanning pulses. The data signal is applied to perform address discharge. The discharge cells to be subjected to the sustain discharge occurring in the sustain period PS by the address discharge are selected. The scan pulse has a scan high voltage (Vsch) and sequentially has a scan low voltage (Vscl) whose voltage is lower than the scan high voltage (Vsch), and the display data signal is adapted to the scan low voltage (Vscl) of the scan pulse. It has a positive address voltage Va.

In the sustain period PS, a sustain pulse is alternately applied to the X electrodes X ₁ ,..., X _n and the Y electrodes Y ₁ ,..., Y _n to perform a sustain discharge. Luminance is expressed according to the gray scale weight allocated to each subfield by the sustain discharge. The sustain pulse has an alternating discharge voltage Vs and a ground voltage Vg.

On the other hand, it is possible that the drive signal different from that shown in FIG. 3 can be output from each driving unit of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing that Y connectors and X connectors are alternately disposed on both sides of the plasma display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the driving apparatus of the plasma display panel displays an image by alternately applying pulse voltages to the X and Y electrodes with respect to the display panel in which the X and Y electrodes are alternately arranged side by side. Here, the driving device of the plasma display panel is a connection terminal for supplying power to the X electrode lines and the Y electrode lines from the X driver (24 in FIG. 2) and the Y driver (25 in FIG. 2), respectively. X connectors X1 to X5 and Y connectors Y1 to Y6 disposed on both sides of (1).

The X connectors X1 to X5 divide the X electrodes into a plurality of X electrode blocks, and become connection terminals for supplying power to each X electrode block. The Y connectors Y1 to Y6 divide the Y electrodes into a plurality of Y electrode blocks, and become connection terminals for supplying power to each Y electrode block.

The X connectors X1 to X5 and the Y connectors Y1 to Y6 are disposed on both sides of the panel 1. That is, the X connectors X1 to X5 are sequentially positioned on one side of the panel, and the Y connectors Y1 to Y6 are sequentially positioned on the other side of the panel. In addition, the X connectors X1 to X5 and the Y connectors Y1 to Y6 are arranged to cross each other.

To this end, the X connectors X1 to X5 and the Y connectors Y1 to Y6 are arranged such that the X connector centerlines XC1 to XC5 and the Y connector centerlines YC1 to YC6 are intersected with each other. At this time, the X connector center lines XC1 to XC5 are lines passing through the centers of the X connectors X1 to X5 in the directions in which the X electrodes X1 to X5 extend. The Y connector center lines YC1 to YC6 are lines passing through the center of the Y connectors Y1 to Y6 in the direction in which the Y electrodes Y1 to Y6 extend.

In addition, the X connectors X1 to X5 and the Y connectors Y1 to Y6 are disposed such that the Y connector centerline YC1 to YC6 passes through the space between the X connectors X1 to X5. That is, the X connectors X1 to X5 and the Y connectors Y1 to Y6 are disposed such that the X connector centerlines XC1 to XC6 pass through the space between the Y connectors Y1 to Y5.

To this end, the number of X connectors X1 to X5 and the number of Y connectors Y1 to Y6 are different from each other. If the number of Y connectors Y1 to Y6 is even (6) as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, it is preferable that the number of X connectors X1 to X5 is odd (5). In another embodiment, if the number of Y connectors Y1 to Y6 is odd, it is preferable that the number of X connectors X1 to X5 be even.

As in the present invention, the X connectors (X1 to X5) and the Y connectors (Y1 to Y6) are positioned to cross each other, thereby reducing the block-by-block impedance difference between the X electrodes and the Y electrodes. In addition, even if an impedance difference occurs between a block corresponding to the Y2 connector and a block corresponding to the Y3 connector, for example, since the blocks corresponding to the X2 connectors located therebetween are commonly tied, the discharge delay and the amount of light for each block Can reduce the difference.

Therefore, the luminance step due to the difference in the light delay and the discharge delay for each block due to the impedance difference between the neighboring connectors can be reduced, so that the boundary between the blocks can be easily prevented from being noticeable. This effect may be greater when the load ratio displayed on the panel is different between the upper and lower blocks. That is, not only the horizontal gray linearity but also the vertical gray linearity can be improved. Therefore, the luminance step and the boundary effect between the electrode blocks can be reduced.

However, in the present invention, the number of X connectors and Y connectors may be changed in consideration of cost and workability.

According to the driving apparatus of the display panel according to the present invention, the X connectors and the Y connectors are positioned to cross each other, thereby reducing the luminance step and the boundary effect between the electrode blocks.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to one embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, it is merely an example, and those skilled in the art may realize various modifications and equivalent other embodiments therefrom. I can understand. Accordingly, the true scope of protection of the invention should be defined only by the appended claims.

Claims (8)

For a display panel in which X electrodes and Y electrodes are alternately arranged side by side, an image is displayed by alternately applying pulse voltages to the X electrodes and the Y electrodes, At least one X connector arranged on one side of the panel to divide the X electrodes into a plurality of X electrode blocks, and to be connected to each of the X electrode blocks to supply power; And The Y electrodes are divided into a plurality of Y electrode blocks, and the connection terminals for supplying power to each of the Y electrode blocks are provided. At least one or more Y arranged to alternate with the X connector on the other side of the panel. A drive of a display panel having connectors. The method of claim 1, The X connector center line where the X connector and the Y connector cross the center of the X connector in the direction in which the X electrode extends, and the Y connector center line which cross the center of the Y connector in the direction in which the Y electrode extends are crossed with each other. Drive of a display panel arranged so as to be rotated. The method of claim 1, And the X connector and the Y connector are arranged such that a Y connector center line passing through the center of the Y connector in a direction in which the Y electrode extends passes through a space between the X connectors. The method of claim 1, And the X connector and the Y connector are arranged such that the space between the Y connectors and the space between the X connectors are alternated with each other. The method of claim 1, And the number of the Y connectors is different from the number of the X connectors. The method of claim 5, And the number of the Y connectors is an even number and the number of the X connectors is an odd number. The method of claim 5, And the number of the Y connectors is odd, and the number of the X connectors is even. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, Discharge cells are defined in regions where the X and Y electrodes and the address electrode intersect, A logic controller for generating a drive control signal including an X drive control signal, a Y drive control signal, and an A drive control signal according to an image signal to be displayed, and an X that processes the X drive control signal and applies it to the X electrodes And a driving unit for processing the Y driving control signal and applying it to the Y electrodes, and an address driving unit for processing the A driving control signal and applying it to the address electrodes.

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