WO2008050445A1

WO2008050445A1 - Display device

Info

Publication number: WO2008050445A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/321509
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hitoshi Hirakawa; Manabu Ishimoto; Kenji Awamoto
Original assignee: Shinoda Plasma Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-10-27
Filing date: 2006-10-27
Publication date: 2008-05-02
Also published as: JPWO2008050445A1

Abstract

Provided is a display device (10), in which a gas discharge tube (110) of a first group of a first unit (310) is divided into first plural sub-groups (110U and 110D) whereas a gas discharge tube (112) of a second group of a second unit (312) is divided into second plural sub-groups (112U and 112D) corresponding to the first plural sub-groups. The contact position in the longitudinal direction between the end portion of the gas discharge tube of one of the first plural sub-groups and the end portion of the gas discharge tube of a corresponding one of the second plural sub-groups is spaced by a predetermined distance (Dno) from the contact position in the longitudinal direction between the end portion of the gas discharge tube of another of the first plural sub-groups and the end portion of the gas discharge tube of corresponding another of the second plural sub-groups.

Description

Display device

Technical field

The present invention relates to a large display device having a plurality of partial forces, and more particularly to a display device having a plurality of plasma tube array forces that can be easily assembled.

Background art

[0002] A plasma display panel (PDP) emits light by exciting a phosphor with ultraviolet light of 147nm, which generates a plasma discharge in a closed discharge space of a large number of vertical and horizontal small cells and also discharges a discharge plasma force. Let The cell space is formed between two stacked glass sheets. On the other hand, in the plasma tube array (PTA) described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-92085 (A) (Patent Document 1), a phosphor layer is formed in an elongated glass glass tube. A large number of cell spaces are formed in the tube. A large display screen of, for example, 6 m x 3 m can be formed by assembling a plasma tube array in which a large number of such plasma tubes are arranged side by side.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-171377 (Patent Document 2) (corresponding to Japanese Patent No. 3624596) describes an image display device. In the image display device, the driving substrate is connected to the display panel via a plurality of wiring substrates, and among the three wiring substrates adjacent to each other, the outermost electrode on the adjacent side of one wiring substrate is positioned outside. A dummy electrode connected to the outermost electrode on the adjacent side of the other wiring board is provided. As a result, even when the drive substrate is connected to the display panel using a plurality of wiring boards, the coupling capacitance between adjacent electrodes can be made uniform.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-29705 (Patent Document 3) describes a method of driving a plasma 'display' panel. In the driving method, when selecting a cell to be displayed by applying a voltage of opposite polarity to the two electrodes facing each other across the discharge space in the effective display area, a dummy arranged outside the effective display area is selected. A constant voltage is supplied to the electrodes during the address period for selecting a cell. As a result, abnormal discharge occurring at the upper and lower edges of the effective display area of the plasma 'display' panel is prevented. Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-37884 (Patent Document 4) describes a plasma display device. The plasma display device includes a first substrate on which a plurality of first electrodes and second electrodes forming a pair are arranged, and a plurality of third electrodes substantially orthogonal to the first electrode and the second electrode. And a second substrate disposed opposite to each other with the discharge space interposed therebetween. A panel is configured by providing at least one dummy electrode outside the display area on the first substrate so as to be parallel to the first electrode or the second electrode and substantially perpendicular to the third electrode. In the address period of at least one subfield of a plurality of subfields constituting one frame, the address pulse is applied to the dummy electrode prior to the address discharge of the first line, and the dummy electrode and the third electrode are applied. Discharge occurs between electrodes. As a result, the display quality of the plasma display device is improved.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-92085

Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-171377

Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-29705

Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-37884

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Making a large plasma tube display with only one large plasma 'tube' array placed between the front and back support substrates is not practical for display manufacturing. ! One large display device can be advantageously formed by manufacturing a plurality of divided units or modules of a plasma tube array that can be easily assembled, and arranging these units adjacent to each other.

In such a display device, the two plasma tube arrays adjacent to the longitudinal direction of the plasma tube are such that the plasma tubes that make up the plasma tube array are so thin that they hold part of them. The tube has a slight stagnation, and it includes a cumulative error in the tube width due to dimensional variations from tube to tube. Therefore, it is not easy to align the bottom end of one plasma tube array and the top end of the other plasma tube array adjacent to it with high accuracy. This increases the manufacturing cost. [0004] The inventors can easily make two plasma tube arrays by arranging some of the tubes in the two plasma 'tube' arrays adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the tubes. Recognized that it can be aligned.

An object of the present invention is to realize a display device including a plurality of plasma “tube” arrays having a configuration that allows easy alignment.

Means for solving the problem

[0006] According to a feature of the present invention, a display device includes a phosphor layer formed therein, a discharge gas sealed therein, and a plurality of gas discharge tubes each having a plurality of light emitting points in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of pairs of display electrodes are arranged on the display surface side of the plurality of gas discharge tubes, and a plurality of signal electrodes are arranged on the back side of the plurality of gas discharge tubes. The end of the first group of gas discharge tubes arranged in one of the two adjacent units of the plurality of units is arranged in the other unit of the two units. The end of the second group of gas discharge tubes is in contact with the end of the first group of gas discharge tubes and the end of the second group of gas discharge tubes. It is located in the area near the boundary between one unit and the other unit. The first group of gas discharge tubes is divided into a first plurality of subgroups, and the second group of gas discharge tubes is divided into a second plurality of subgroups corresponding to the first plurality of subgroups. . Between the end of the gas discharge tube of a subgroup in the first plurality of subgroups and the end of the gas discharge tube of the corresponding subgroup in the second plurality of subgroups The longitudinal contact position of the end of the gas discharge tube of another subgroup in the first plurality of subgroups and another subgroup corresponding to that in the second plurality of subgroups The gas discharge tube is separated from the end portion of the gas discharge tube by a predetermined distance from the longitudinal contact position. According to another feature of the present invention, the display device includes a first group of gas discharge tubes having a phosphor layer formed therein and a discharge gas sealed therein, each having a plurality of light emitting points in the longitudinal direction. First, a plurality of pairs of display electrodes are arranged on the display surface side of the first group of gas discharge tubes, and a plurality of signal electrodes are arranged on the back side of the first group of gas discharge tubes. A phosphor layer is formed inside and the discharge gas is sealed. The remaining part of the first group of gas discharge tubes is juxtaposed and each has a plurality of light emitting points in the longitudinal direction adjacent to the end of the remaining part of the first group of gas discharge tubes. A part of the second group of gas discharge tubes is juxtaposed, and a plurality of display electrodes are arranged on the display surface side of the remaining part of the first group of gas discharge tubes and a part of the second group of gas discharge tubes. And a second unit in which a plurality of signal electrodes are arranged on the back side of the remaining part of the first group of gas discharge tubes and the second group of gas discharge tubes. The end of the first group of gas discharge tubes is in contact with the end of the second group of gas discharge tubes, and the end of the first group of gas discharge tubes and the end of the second group of gas discharge tubes The contact position is located in the area of the second unit. The first group of gas discharge tubes is divided into a first plurality of subgroups, and the second group of gas discharge tubes is divided into a second plurality of subgroups corresponding to the first plurality of subgroups. . Between the end of the gas discharge tube of a subgroup in the first plurality of subgroups and the end of the gas discharge tube of the corresponding subgroup in the second plurality of subgroups The longitudinal contact position of the gas discharge tube end of another subgroup in the first plurality of subgroups and another sub-corresponding to that in the second plurality of subgroups. A predetermined distance from the longitudinal contact position between the ends of the gas discharge tubes of the group.

The invention's effect

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a display device including a plurality of plasma “tube” arrays having a configuration that can be easily aligned.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic partial structure of an array of plasma tubes or gas discharge tubes of a conventional color display device.

FIG. 2A shows a front-side support substrate on which a plurality of transparent display electrode pairs are formed. FIG. 2B shows a backside support substrate on which a plurality of signal electrodes or signal electrodes are formed.

[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 shows the structure of a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tubes of the plasma 'tube' array of the PTA unit. [FIG. 4] FIG. 4 shows a typical plasma tube array type display device including a PTA unit, an address (A) electrode driver device, an X electrode driver device, and an electrode driver device.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic drive sequence of output drive voltage waveforms of an A electrode driver device, an X electrode driver device, and a Y electrode driver device in a normal display device.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 shows two PTA units used for assembly of a normal display device.

RU

FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of plasma tubes in two upper and lower PTA units used for assembling a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of a display device including a PTA unit, an address (A) electrode driver device, an X electrode driver device, and a Y electrode driver device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic configuration of a display device including a PTA unit, an A electrode driver device, an X electrode driver device, and a Y electrode driver device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of a display device including a PTA unit, an A electrode driver device, an X electrode driver device, and a Y electrode driver device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic configuration of a display device including a PTA unit, an A electrode driver device, an X electrode driver device, and a Y electrode driver device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[FIG. 12] FIGS. 12A to 12G are schematic driving sequences of output drive voltage waveforms of the upper A electrode driver device, X electrode driver device, and Y electrode driver device in the display device of L 1 in FIG. Here's an example! /

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals. FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic partial structure of a unit 300 of an array of plasma 'tubes or gas discharge tubes 11R, 11G and 11B for a conventional color display! In FIG. 1, a plasma 'tube' array (PTA) unit 300 consists of an array of transparent elongated color 'plasma' tubes 11R, 11G and 11B, a transparent front support sheet or Thin substrate force front support substrate 31, transparent or non-transparent back support sheet or thin substrate force back support substrate 32, multiple display electrode pairs or main electrode pair 2, and multiple signal electrodes or Address electrode 3 is included. In FIG. 1, X indicates a sustain electrode or X electrode of the display electrode 2, and Y indicates a scan electrode or Y electrode of the display electrode 2. R, G, and B indicate red, green, and blue emission colors of the phosphor. The support substrates 31 and 32 are made of, for example, a flexible PET film or glass.

Elongated plasma 'tubes 11R, 11G and 11B tubules 20 are made of a transparent insulator, such as borosilicate glass, Pyrex®, soda glass, quartz glass or zerodur, typically The tube diameter is 2mm or less, for example, the cross-sectional width of the tube is about lmm and the height is a flat type slightly smaller than the width, the length is 300mm or more, and the tube wall thickness is about 0.1mm Have

Plasma 'tubes 11R, 11G, and 1 IB are formed with red, green, and blue (R, G, B) phosphor layers 4 on the back side of the inside, and discharge gas is introduced to seal both ends. It has been done. An electron emission film 5 made of MgO is formed on the inner surfaces of the plasma tubes 11R, 11G, and 11B. The phosphor layers R, G, B typically have a thickness in the range of about 10 m to about 50 m.

The phosphor layer 4 may be formed on the support member. Such a support member is formed of an insulator such as borosilicate glass, Pyrex (registered trademark), quartz glass, soda glass, and lead glass, similarly to the plasma 'tubes 11R, 11G, and 1IB. The support member is disposed outside the glass tube by applying a phosphor paste on the support member and firing it to form the phosphor layer 4 on the support member, and then inserting the support member into the glass tube. can do. As such a phosphor paste, various phosphor bases known in the art can be used. The electron emission film 5 generates electrons by collision with the charged particles of the discharge gas. The phosphor layer 4 is excited by vacuum ultraviolet light generated by de-excitation of the discharge gas enclosed in the tube excited by applying a voltage to the display electrode pair 2, and generates visible light.

FIG. 2A shows a front-side support substrate 31 on which a plurality of transparent display electrode pairs 2 are formed. FIG. 2B shows a back side support substrate 32 on which a plurality of signal electrodes 3 are formed. The signal electrode 3 is formed on the front surface, that is, the inner surface of the back-side support substrate 32, and is provided along the longitudinal direction of the plasma tubes 11R, 11G, and 1IB. The pitch between the adjacent signal electrodes 3 is substantially the same as the width of each of the plasma tubes 11R, 11G, and 1IB, for example, lmm. The plurality of display electrode pairs 2 are formed on the back surface, that is, the inner surface of the front side support substrate 31 in a well-known form, and are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the signal electrode 3. The width of the display electrode 2 is, for example, 0.75 mm, and the distance between the edges of each pair of display electrodes 2 is, for example, 0.4 mm. A distance serving as a non-discharge region or a non-discharge gap is secured between the display electrode pair 2 and the adjacent display electrode pair 2, and the distance is, for example, 1. lmm.

The signal electrode 3 and the display electrode pair 2 are brought into contact with the lower outer peripheral surface portion and the upper outer peripheral surface portion of the plasma tubes 11R, 11G, and 11B when the PTA unit 300 is assembled. In order to improve the adhesion, an adhesive may be interposed between each electrode and the plasma tube surface to bond them.

When the PTA unit 300 is viewed from the front, the intersection between the signal electrode 3 and the display electrode pair 2 is a unit light emitting region. For display, one of the display electrode pairs 2 is used as the scan electrode Y, a selective discharge is generated at the intersection of the scan electrode Y and the signal electrode 3, and a light emitting region is selected. Using the wall charges formed on the inner surface of the tube, a display discharge is generated at the display electrode pair 2 and the phosphor layer emits light. The selective discharge is a counter discharge generated in the plasma tubes 11R, 11G, and 1IB between the scanning Y electrode and the signal electrode 3 facing each other in the vertical direction. The display discharge is a surface discharge generated in the plasma tubes 11R, 11G, and 11B between a pair of display electrodes arranged in parallel on a plane. The display electrode pair 2 and the signal electrode 3 can generate a discharge in the discharge gas inside the tube by applying a voltage. In Fig. 1, the electrode structure of plasma 'tubes 11R, 11G and 11B is a structure in which three electrodes are arranged in one light emitting part, and the display discharge is generated by display electrode pair 2. However, the display electrode 2 and the signal electrode 3 may have a structure in which display discharge is generated. That is, the display electrode pair 2 may be one, and the display electrode 2 may be used as a scanning electrode to generate a selective discharge and a display discharge (opposite discharge) between the display electrode 2 and the signal electrode 3.ヽ.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional structure perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tubes of the plasma “tube” array 11 of the PTA unit 300. In the PTA unit 300, the plasma tubes 11R, 11G, and 1IB have phosphor layers 4R, 4G, and 4B formed on their inner surfaces, with a cross-sectional width of 1. Omm, a cross-sectional height of 0.7 mm, It consists of thin tubes with a thickness of 0.1 mm and a length of lm to 3 m. As an example, the red phosphor 4R contains a yttria-based ((Y. Ga) BO: Eu) material.

Three

The green phosphor 4G contains a zinc silicate (Zn SiO: Mn) material and is a blue phosphor.

twenty four

4B includes BAM-based (BaMgAl 2 O: Eu) materials.

10 17

In FIG. 3, a back-side support substrate 32 is bonded to the bottom surfaces of the plasma tubes 11R, 11G, and 11B via an adhesive layer. The signal electrodes 3 are disposed on the bottom surfaces of the plasma tubes 11R, 11G, and 11B and on the top surface of the back support substrate 32. Further, the signal electrode 3 may be directly formed on the bottom surfaces of the plasma tubes 11R, 11G and 1IB.

[0013] FIG. 4 shows a conventional plasma tube array type display device 100 comprising a PTA unit 300, an address (A) electrode driver device 400, an X electrode driver device 500 and a Y electrode driver device 600. Yes. In the PTA unit 300, the X electrodes in the n pairs of display electrodes 2 (XI, Y1), ..., (Xj, Yj), ... (Xn, Yn) are the X electrodes of the X electrode driver device 500. Is connected to a sustaining voltage pulse circuit (SST) 50, and a Y electrode therein is connected to a scanning pulse circuit (SCN) 70 of a Y electrode driver device 600. The m signal electrodes 3 Al,..., Ai,... Am are connected to the A electrode driver device 400. The X electrode driver device 500 further includes a reset circuit 51. The Y electrode driver device 600 further includes a sustain voltage pulse circuit 60 and a reset circuit 61. Driver control circuit (CTRL) 42 It is connected to the pole driver 400, the X electrode driver 500, and the Y electrode driver 600.

Next, an example of a driving method of a general plasma tube array type AC gas discharge display device will be described. One picture (video) is typically composed of one frame period. In interlaced scanning, one frame is composed of two fields, and in progressive scanning, one frame is composed of one field. . Also, in order to display moving images in the usual television system, it is necessary to display 30 or 60 frames per second. Therefore, in the display by this kind of gas discharge display device 10, in order to perform color reproduction with gradation by binary light emission control, typically such 1 field F is set to q subfields SF. Replace with Often, the number of display discharges in each subfield SF is set by giving different weights such as 2 °, 2 ¹ , 2 ² , ^... Luminance can be set in N (= l + 2 ¹ + 2 ² + ^... + 2 ^q_1 ) levels for each color of R, G, and B by combining sub-field emission Z non-emission. The field period Tf, which is the field transfer period, is divided into q subfield periods Tsf according to such a field configuration, and one subfield period Tsf is assigned to each subfield SF. Further, the subfield period Tsf is divided into a reset period TR for initialization, an address period TA for addressing, and a display period TS for light emission by sustain discharge. Typically, the length of the reset period TR and the address period TA is constant regardless of the weight, while the number of pulses in the display period TS increases as the weight increases, and the length of the display period TS increases in weight. So long. In this case, the length of the subfield period T sf is longer as the weight of the corresponding subfield SF is larger.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic drive sequence of output drive voltage waveforms of the A electrode driver device 400, the X electrode driver device 500, and the Y electrode driver device 600 in the normal display device 100. The illustrated waveform is an example, and the amplitude, polarity, and timing can be changed in various ways.

The order of the reset period TR, the address period TA, and the sustain period TS is the same in the q subfields SF, and the drive sequence is repeated for each subfield SF. In the reset period TR of each subfield SF, it is negative for all display electrodes X. The polarity pulse Prxl and the positive polarity pulse Prx2 are sequentially applied, and the positive polarity pulse Pry 1 and the negative polarity pulse Pry2 are sequentially applied to all the display electrodes Y. Pulses Prxl, P ryl and Pry2 are ramp waveforms or blunt pulses whose amplitude gradually increases with the rate of change at which a microdischarge occurs. The first applied pulses Prxl and Pryl are applied once to generate moderate wall charges of the same polarity in all discharge cells regardless of light emission Z non-light emission in the previous subfield SF. Subsequently, by applying pulses Prx2 and Pry2 to the discharge cells where moderate wall charges are present, the wall charges are adjusted so as to be reduced to a level where they are not redischarged by the sustain pulses (erased state). The drive voltage applied to the cell is a composite voltage representing the difference in the amplitude of the pulses applied to the display electrodes X and Y.

In the address period TA, the wall charge necessary for maintaining the discharge is formed only in the discharge cells that emit light. With all display electrodes Xl to Xn and all display electrodes Yl to Yn biased to a predetermined potential, the display electrode Yj corresponding to the selected row is negative for each row selection period (scanning time for one row). Scan 'Apply pulse Vyj. Simultaneously with this row selection, the address pulse Va is applied only to the address electrode Ai corresponding to the selected cell that is to generate the address discharge. That is, the potentials of the address electrodes A to A are binary-controlled for each scanning line based on the subfield data Dsf for m columns of the selected row j. This allows the selected cell to

1 m

An address discharge is generated in the discharge tube between the display electrode Yj and the address electrode Ai. The display data written by the address discharge is stored in the form of wall charges on the cell inner wall of the discharge tube, and the surface discharge between the display electrodes X and Y is generated by the subsequent application of the sustain pulse. In the sustain period TS, a sustain pulse Ps having a polarity (positive polarity in the example shown in the figure) that is first added to the wall charge generated in the previous address discharge to generate a sustain discharge is applied. Thereafter, the sustain pulse Ps is alternately applied to the display electrode X and the display electrode Y. The amplitude of the sustain pulse Ps is the sustain voltage Vs. By applying the sustain pulse Ps, a surface discharge is generated in the discharge cell in which a predetermined wall charge remains. The number of times that the sustain pulse Ps is applied corresponds to the weight of the subfield SF as described above. In order to prevent unnecessary counter discharge throughout the sustain period TS, the address electrode A is biased to a voltage Vas having the same polarity as the sustain pulse Ps.

Figure 6 shows two PTA units 300 and 3 that are used to assemble a normal display device. 02 is shown. The PTA units 300 and 302 are such that the lower end of the plasma tube 110 arranged vertically in the PTA unit 300 and the upper end of the corresponding plasma tube 112 arranged vertically in the PTA unit 302 are in contact with each other. Placed in.

PTA units 300 and 302 have slight stagnation when holding part because tubes 110 and 112 are very thin, and include tube width cumulative errors due to dimensional variations from tube to tube. Yes. Therefore, it is easy and extremely easy to align and fix the lower ends of all the tubes 110 of the PTA unit 300 and the upper ends of all the corresponding tubes 112 of the adjacent PTA unit 302 with high accuracy. The number of processes is required and the manufacturing cost increases.

[0017] The inventors have alternately shifted the corresponding subgroups (subgroups) of the plasma tubes of two PTA tubes adjacent in the longitudinal or vertical direction of the tube by the same distance in the longitudinal direction. It was recognized that the two PTA units could be easily aligned and fixed if placed and placed so that the lower end of the upper tube and the upper end of the corresponding lower tube were in contact with each other.

[0018] FIG. 7 shows the arrangement of the plasma tubes in the plasma tubes 110 and 112 in the two upper and lower PTA units 310 and 312 used to assemble the display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. ! /

One group of plasma 'tubes 110 of the PTA unit 310 is composed of a plurality of sub-gnoleop plasma tubes 110U moved upward and the remaining plurality of sub-gnoleop's plasma tubes 110D. Another gnoleop's plasma 'tube 112 of PTA unit 312 consists of a plurality of sub-group plasma' tubes 112U moved upward and a remaining plurality of sub-group plasma 'tubes 112D.

The sub-gnoleop plasma tubes 110U and 112U are a distance of a predetermined number of pixels perpendicular to the sub-gnoleop plasma tubes 110D and 112D,

0

For example, n is shifted by 3 to 5 pixels. Each subgroup is one pixel in the horizontal direction.

0

Consists of adjacent tubes 1 10 or 112 that are integral multiples of R, G, and B (for example, 3, 6, 9). The front side support substrate 31 of the PTA unit 310 is formed by adding X electrodes and Y for a predetermined number n of pixels at the lower end portion of the plasma tube 110D. It has an electrode.

As an alternative, the sub-group plasma 'tubes 110D and 112D may be moved downward relative to the sub-group plasma tubes 110U and 112U. In this case, the front support substrate 31 of the PTA unit 312 has a predetermined number n of pixels at the upper end.

0 Additional X and Y electrodes for cells.

As an alternative, the sub-group plasma tubes 110U and 112U may be moved upward and the sub-group plasma tubes 110D and 112D may be moved downward. In this case, the bottom portion of the front-side support substrate 31 of the PTA unit 310 has a part on the upper side of the X electrode and the Y electrode added for a predetermined number n of pixels.

0

The top part of the front support substrate 31 of 312 is an X electrode added for a predetermined number n of pixels.

0

And have the remaining part of the Y electrode.

In this manner, the lower end of the plasma tubes 110U and 110D and the plasma tubes 112U and 11D are arranged by shifting the sub-gnoleop plasma tubes 110U and 112U and the sub-gnoleop plasma tubes 110D and 112D in the tube direction. Alignment of the upper end of 2D becomes easy. Another advantage is that the joints of the plasma tubes 110 and 112 of the PTA units 310 and 312 are distributed in two horizontal lines, thereby making the joints inconspicuous.

FIG. 8 is a schematic of a display device 102 comprising PTA units 310 and 312, address (A) electrode driver devices 400 and 404, X electrode driver devices 500 and 504, and Y electrode driver devices 600 and 604 according to an embodiment. This shows the general structure.

The display device 102 is assembled as described above with the PTA units 310 and 312 of FIG. In this case, the number of plasma tubes 110U, 110D, 112U or 112D constituting each one subgroup is the same.

X electrode driver device 500 and Y electrode driver device 600 for PTA unit 310 are a predetermined number of cells in the vertical direction at the lower end of the sub-gnope plasma tube 110D and the upper end of the sub-gnole plasma tube 112U. The display electrode pair 2 is driven by using the common display electrode pair 2 at the bottom of the front support substrate 31 of the PTA unit 310. Move the sub-group plasma tubes 110U and 112U upwards, When the group's plasma tubes 110D and 112D are moved downward, the X electrode driver device 500 and Y electrode driver device 600 for the PTA unit 310 are connected to the lower end of the sub gunle plasma tube 110D and the sub gun Plasma tube 1 Display electrode pairs 2 of some cells of a predetermined number no in the vertical direction at the upper end of 12U are driven using common display electrode pairs 2 at the bottom of the front support substrate 31 of the PTA unit 310 The X electrode driver device 502 and the Y electrode driver device 602 for the PT A unit 312 are connected to the display electrode pairs of the predetermined number no of the remaining cells in the vertical direction of the lower end portion of the plasma tube 110D and the upper end portion of the tube 112U. 2 is driven using the common display electrode pair 2 on the top of the front support substrate 31 of the PTA unit 312.

[0020] FIG. 9 is a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 8, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, PTA outputs 314 and 316, A electrode driver devices 400 and 404, X electrode driver devices 500 and And a schematic configuration of the display device 104 including 504 and Y electrode driver devices 600 and 604.

In the display device 104, the number of plasma sub-tubes 110U, 110D, 112U or 112D in one subgroup is the same as the plasma sub-tubes 110U, 110D, It is different from the number of 112U or 112D. In particular, the number of sub-group plasma 'tubes 110U, 110D, 112U or 112D located closer to the center in the horizontal direction and closer to the center is the number of sub-gnope plasmas' tubes 110U, 110D, 112U or More than the number of 112D. The other PTA units 314 and 316 have the same configuration as that of FIG.

According to this embodiment, the change between the two horizontal lines of the seam at the center position on the display screen of the display device 104 is not annoying for the viewer. In general, after the joints in the vicinity of the left and right sides of the PTA units 314 and 316 are aligned, the center portion can be aligned relatively easily.

[0021] FIG. 10 is a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 8, and according to yet another embodiment of the invention, PTA units 318 and 320, A electrode driver devices 400 and 404, X electrode driver devices 500 and 504, and A schematic configuration of a display device 106 including Y electrode driver devices 600 and 604 is shown. One group of plasma 'tubes 110 in the PTA unit 318 consists of several subgroups of plasma' tubes 110U that have been moved the most upwards, several sub-gnoleop plasma tubes 110M that have been moved slightly upwards, and the rest A plurality of sub-gnope plasma 'tubes 110D. Another group of plasma tubes 112 in the PTA unit 312 are the largest group of subgroup plasmas moved up upwards 112U, and the number of subgroups of plasma moved slightly upwards, tube 112M. The remaining sub-groups of plasma's consist of the tube 112D.

0

For example, n is shifted by 4 to 6 pixels. Subgroup Plasma 'Tube 110M

0

And 112M are offset by a predetermined number n of pixels in the vertical direction relative to the subgroup plasma tubes 110D and 112D, for example, n, = 2-3 pixels

0 0

. Each subgroup is composed of adjacent tubes 110 or 112 of the number of integral multiples of R, G, and B (for example, 3, 6, 9) constituting one pixel in the horizontal direction.

As in Figure 9, the number of plasmas in one subgroup 'tube 110U, 110M, 110D, 112U, 112M or 112D is equal to the plasma of another subgnole at another horizontal position'. The number of tubes 110U, 110M, 110D, 112U, 112M or 112D may be different. The front support substrate 31 of the PTA unit 310 has X electrodes and Y electrodes added for a predetermined number of pixels at the lower ends of the plasma tubes 110M and 110D. The other PTA units 314 and 316 have the same configuration as that shown in FIG.

As an alternative configuration, the subgroup plasma 'tubes 110D and 112D are moved most downwards relative to the subgroup plasma' tubes 110U and 112U, and the subgnole plasma tubes 110M and 112M are It may be moved slightly downward with respect to the tubes 110U and 112U. In this case, the front side support substrate 31 of the PTA unit 312 has a predetermined number of pixels n in the upper end portion.

0

X electrode and Y electrode.

As an alternative, for sub-gnoleop plasma tubes 110M and 112M, The sub-group plasma tubes 110U and 112U may be moved upward, and the sub-group plasma tubes 110D and 112D may be moved downward. In this case, the bottom portion of the front side support substrate 31 of the PTA unit 310 has a predetermined number n of pixels.

0

It has a part on the upper side of the added X electrode and Y electrode, and the top part of the front support substrate 31 of the PTA unit 312 has a predetermined number n of added X electrodes and Y electrodes.

0

Have the rest.

In this way, the sub-gnoleop plasma tubes 110U and 112U, the sub-gnoleop plasma tubes 110M and 112M, and the sub-gnoleop plasma tubes 1 10D and 112D are shifted in the longitudinal direction of the tube. The plasma of PTA units 3 10 and 312 has the advantage that the seams of the tubes 110 and 112 are distributed over more horizontal lines, making the seams lines less noticeable. PTA units 322, 324 and 326, A, Rhino 400 and 404, X, Rhino apparatus 500, 502 and 504, and Y electrode dry apparatus 600, according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. A schematic configuration of a display device 106 comprising 602 and 604 is shown. In this case, PTA units 332 and 324 share the longer m plasma tubes 110, PTA units 324 and 326 are longer !, and share m plasma tubes 112! / .

Sub-gnoleop plasma tubes 110U and 110D bottom edge and sub-gnope plasma tubes 112U and 112D top seam lines are located in the vertical center of the front support 31 of the PTA unit 324 To do. In this case, since the seam force is arranged at a position different from the seam of the front support substrate 31 of each of the two adjacent PTA units 322 and 324 or PTA units 324 and 326, the plasma tubes 110 and 112 There is an advantage that the joint of the contact position at the end of the front end and the joint of the front support substrate 31 are less noticeable.

As in the embodiment of FIG. 9, the number of gas discharge tubes in each subgroup may be different from the number of gas discharge tubes in another subgroup. Also, as in the embodiment of FIG. 10, several subgroup gas discharge tubes are moved greatly relative to a certain subgroup gas discharge tube. Let's move some other subgroup gas discharge tubes small relative to that subgroup gas discharge tube.

Figures 12A-12G are: Figure 8 ~: A electrode driver device 400 and 404, X electrode driver device 500 or 502 and Y electrode driver device 600 or 602 in display device 102, 104, 106 or 108 of L1 An example of a schematic drive sequence of the output drive voltage waveform is shown. The output drive voltage waveforms in the reset period TR and the sustain period TS in FIGS. 12A to 12G are the same as those in the normal display device in FIG. In the address period TA, the scan pulses Vy 1 to Vyn applied to the electrodes Yl to Yn in FIGS. 12B to 12C are the same as those in the normal display device in FIG. Figure 12 A address pulses Va 1 to Van are applied to Am.

12D to 12G, X electrodes Xn + 1 to Xn + no and electrodes Yn + 1 to Υη + no are displayed in the cells at both the lower end portion of the plasma tube 110 and the upper end portion of the plasma tube 112 Represents electrode pair 2.

In the address period TA, as shown in FIG. 8: The upper Y electrode driver device 600 or 602 of L 1 is the upper Y electrode Yl to Yn on the front support substrate 31 of the PTA unit 310, 314, 318, or 322 and 324. Apply normal scan 'pulse Vyl ~ Vyn to. Following that, the Y electrode driver device 600 or 602 is connected to the bottom end portion n of the plasma 'tube 110.

Scan 'pulse ¥ 11 + l to Vyn + no is sequentially applied to 0 Y electrodes Yn + 1 to 丫 11 + 110, while the upper A electrode driver device 400 is connected to the lower end of the plasma' tube 110D. Apply address' pulse Van + 1 to Van + no only to address electrode Ai. In parallel, the lower Y electrode driver devices 604 or 602 and 604 are connected to the lower Y electrodes Y1 to Ynd on the front support substrate 31 of the PTA unit 312, 316, 320, or 324 and 326. Apply normal scan pulses Vyl to Vynd (not shown). After that, the Y electrode driver device 600 or 602 is connected to the upper end portion of the plasma 'tube 112 by n Y electrodes.

0

Scan 'pulses Vyn + l to Vyn + no are sequentially applied again to Yn + 1 to Υη + ηο, while the lower A electrode driver device 404 is applied only to the required address electrode Ai at the upper end of the plasma tube 112U. Address' Pulse Va, n to Va, n + no is applied.

Front side of PTA unit 310, 314, 318 or ί 322 and 324 The number of electrode pairs 2 (XI, Y1;) to (Xn + no, Yn + no) for the upper end of the plasma 'tube 110 and 112U in the plasma n + n and n at the upper end of the plasma' tube 110U

The number nd of the display electrodes 2 (XI, Yl) to (Xnd, Ynd) of the plasma 'tube 110 excluding the pixel of 0 0 may be equal (n + n = nd).

0

The embodiments described above are merely given as typical examples, and it is obvious for those skilled in the art to combine the components of the embodiments, and that modifications and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is apparent that various modifications of the embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described in the above.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] Inside, a phosphor layer is formed and a discharge gas is enclosed, and a plurality of gas discharge tubes each having a plurality of light emitting points in the longitudinal direction are juxtaposed, and a display surface of the plurality of gas discharge tubes A display device comprising a plurality of units, each having a plurality of pairs of display electrodes disposed on a side, and a plurality of signal electrodes disposed on a back side of the plurality of gas discharge tubes;

The end of the first group of gas discharge tubes arranged in one of the two adjacent units of the plurality of units is the second unit arranged in the other of the two units. In contact with the end of two groups of gas discharge tubes,

The first group of gas discharge tubes is divided into a plurality of first sub-groups, and the second group of gas discharge tubes is divided into a plurality of second sub-groups corresponding to the first plurality of sub-groups. And

Between an end of a gas discharge tube of a subgroup in the first plurality of subgroups and an end of a gas discharge tube of a corresponding subgroup in the second plurality of subgroups A longitudinal contact position of an end of a gas discharge tube in another subgroup in the first plurality of subgroups and another subgroup corresponding to that in the second plurality of subgroups. A display device, wherein the display device is separated from the end of the gas discharge tube of the group by a predetermined distance from the contact position in the longitudinal direction.

[2] The display device according to [1], wherein each of the first and second plurality of subgroups has a gas discharge tube force that is a multiple of 3 adjacent to each other.

[3] The ends of the gas discharge tubes of several subgroups separated from each other in the first plurality of subgroups and the corresponding spaced apart ones in the second plurality of subgroups. The longitudinal contact position between the gas discharge tube ends of the sub-groups may be the end of the remaining gas discharge tubes in the first plurality of sub-groups and the second plurality of sub-tubes. 3. Display according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is separated by the predetermined distance with respect to the longitudinal contact position between the ends of the remaining gas discharge tubes in the group. apparatus.

[4] The ends of the gas discharge tubes of the first several subgroups separated from each other in the first plurality of subgroups and the corresponding ones in the second plurality of subgroups. The longitudinal contact positions between the ends of the gas discharge tubes of the second several subgroups separated from each other in the third several subgroups of the first plurality of subgroups separated from each other. A longitudinal gap between the end of the gas discharge tube of the subgroup and the end of the fourth several subgroup gas discharge tubes corresponding to each other in the second plurality of subgroups; A predetermined distance from the contact position,

The ends of the gas discharge tubes of the fifth several subgroups spaced apart from each other in the first plurality of subgroups and the correspondingly spaced apart ones in the second plurality of subgroups The longitudinal contact position between the ends of the gas discharge tubes of the sixth several subgroups is the same as that of the ends of the gas discharge tubes of the first and third subgroups. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second and fourth subgroups are separated by a predetermined distance from the longitudinal contact position between the ends of the gas discharge tubes. Display device.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance corresponds to a length of a plurality of continuous cells in the longitudinal direction of the gas discharge tube.

[6] Each of the plurality of units includes: a transparent front substrate on which the plurality of pairs of display electrodes are formed on the inner surface; and a rear substrate on which the plurality of signal electrodes are formed on the inner surface. Have

6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the front substrate and the rear substrate sandwich a plurality of gas discharge tubes.

[7] Inside, a phosphor layer is formed and a discharge gas is enclosed, and a part of a first group of gas discharge tubes each having a plurality of light emitting points in the longitudinal direction is juxtaposed, and the first double A first unit in which a plurality of pairs of display electrodes are arranged on the display surface side of the gas discharge tube of the first group, and a plurality of signal electrodes are arranged on the back side of the gas discharge tubes of the first group;

Inside, a phosphor layer is formed and a discharge gas is enclosed, the remaining part of the first group of gas discharge tubes is juxtaposed, and the end of the remaining part of the first group of gas discharge tubes A part of the second group of gas discharge tubes each having a plurality of light emitting points in the longitudinal direction adjacent to the part is juxtaposed, and the remaining part of the first group of gas discharge tubes and the second group A plurality of display electrodes are arranged on the display surface side of a part of the gas discharge tube of the loop, and the back side of the remaining part of the gas discharge tube of the first group and a part of the gas discharge tube of the second group A second unit in which a plurality of signal electrodes are disposed,

Have

The end of the first group of gas discharge tubes is in contact with the end of the second group of gas discharge tubes, and the end of the first group of gas discharge tubes and the end of the second group of gas discharge tubes Is located in the area of the second unit,

[8] The display device according to claim 7, wherein each of the first and second plurality of subgroups has a gas discharge tube force that is a multiple of 3 adjacent to each other.

[9] Gas discharge tube ends of several subgroups spaced apart from each other in the first plurality of subgroups and correspondingly spaced apart ones in the second plurality of subgroups. The longitudinal contact position between the gas discharge tube ends of the sub-groups may be the end of the remaining gas discharge tubes in the first plurality of sub-groups and the second plurality of sub-tubes. 9. A display as claimed in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it is separated by a predetermined distance from the longitudinal contact position between the ends of the remaining gas discharge tubes in the group. apparatus.

[10] The ends of the gas discharge tubes of the first several subgroups separated from each other in the first plurality of subgroups and the corresponding ones in the second plurality of subgroups. The longitudinal contact between the ends of the gas discharge tubes of the second several subgroups The tactile positions are the ends of the gas discharge tubes of the third several subgroups separated from each other in the first plurality of subgroups and the corresponding ones in the second plurality of subgroups. A predetermined distance from the longitudinal contact position between the ends of the gas discharge tubes of the fourth several subgroups apart,

The ends of the gas discharge tubes of the fifth several subgroups spaced apart from each other in the first plurality of subgroups and the correspondingly spaced apart ones in the second plurality of subgroups The longitudinal contact position between the ends of the gas discharge tubes of the sixth several subgroups is the same as that of the ends of the gas discharge tubes of the first and third subgroups. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the second and fourth subgroups are separated by a predetermined distance from a longitudinal contact position between the ends of the gas discharge tubes. Display device.

11. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined distance corresponds to a length of a plurality of continuous cells in the longitudinal direction in the gas discharge tube.

[12] Each of the first and second units includes a transparent front substrate in which the plurality of pairs of display electrodes are formed on an inner surface, and a rear surface side in which the plurality of signal electrodes are formed on an inner surface. A substrate,

12. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the front substrate and the rear substrate sandwich a plurality of gas discharge tubes.