Gas discharging type display device and its driving method

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a gas discharge type display device that displays an image of a television, an advertisement display board, or the like by using gas discharge light emission, and a method for driving the same.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Since the gas discharge type display device is a display device capable of realizing a large color display image without increasing the depth dimension, its application is rapidly expanding. In particular, an AC-driven indirect gas discharge type display panel having a memory function (hereinafter, abbreviated as "AC type PDP") has high versatility, so that there is a further demand for large size, light weight, and low cost. Such an AC type PDP and a driving method thereof are described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-39341, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-31775 and the like.

【0003】

The conventional AC type PDP described in JP-A-61-39341 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 (a) is a partially enlarged view showing the main part of the conventional AC type PDP, and FIG. 6 (b) is the AC type PDP whose cross section is taken along the VIb-VIb line of FIG. 6 (a). It is a cross-sectional view of. In FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, n scanning electrodes 102-1, 102-2, ..., 102-n are arranged side by side on the first glass substrate 101, respectively. N pair of maintenance electrodes 103-1, 103-2, ..., 103-n are arranged in parallel with each other. Further, these n pairs of electrodes are covered with the dielectric layer 104 and face the discharge space 106 via the protective film layer 105 further formed on the dielectric layer 104. The dielectric layer 104 is made of borosilicon glass or the like, and the protective film layer 105 is made of MgO or the like. Further, the discharge space 106 is filled with a discharge gas, for example, a helium gas mixed with xenon gas. The m data electrodes 107-1,107-2, ..., 107-m are arranged on the second glass substrate 108 on the discharge space 106 side so as to be orthogonal to the n pairs of electrodes. In this way, the n pairs of electrodes and the m data electrodes 107-1,107-2, ..., 107-m are arranged in a grade separation manner via the discharge space 106, etc., and are of the AC type PDP. In the first and second glass substrates 101 and 108 forming the outer peripheral, m × n discharge cells are formed in a matrix. The scanning electrodes 102-1, 102-2, ..., 102-n, the maintenance electrodes 103-1, 103-2, ..., 103-n, and the data electrodes 107-1, 107-2, ..., 107-m. Is connected to and driven by a scanning electrode drive circuit, a maintenance electrode drive circuit, and a data electrode drive circuit (not shown), respectively.

【0004】

Next, a conventional AC type PDP driving method will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing waveforms of pulses applied to the data electrode, scanning electrode, and maintenance electrode of the conventional AC type PDP. As shown in FIG. 7, the display operation period of the AC type PDP is divided into a write period tw, a maintenance period tm, and an erasure period te. First, in the writing period tw, the voltage of + Vw (V) shown in FIG. 7 (a) is shown in the data electrodes 107-1, 107-2, ..., 107-m selected according to the desired display image. A write pulse is applied, and at the same time, a scan pulse having a voltage of -Vs (V) shown in FIG. 7 (b) is applied to the first scanning electrode 102-1. As a result, for example, when a write pulse is applied to the data electrode 107-1, a grade-separated intersection W between the data electrode 107-1 and the first scanning electrode 102-1 ((a) in FIG. 6). )), A write discharge occurs, and a positive wall charge is accumulated on the surface of the protective film layer 105 at the intersection W. Next, the writing pulse is applied to the data electrodes 107-1, 107-2, ..., 107-m selected according to the desired display image, and at the same time, the second scanning electrode 102-2 is shown in FIG. A scanning pulse, which is the voltage of -Vs (V) shown in (c), is applied. As a result, a write discharge occurs at the grade-separated intersection of the selected data electrodes 107-1, 107-2, ..., 107-m and the second scanning electrode 102-2, and the writing discharge occurs at the intersection. Positive wall charges are accumulated on the surface of the protective film layer 105. The same operation is continuously performed, and finally, the above write pulse is applied to the data electrodes 107-1, 107-2, ..., 107-m selected according to the desired display image, and at the same time, the nth A scanning pulse, which is a voltage of -Vs (V) shown in FIG. 7 (d), is applied to the scanning electrode 102-n of. As a result, the selected data electrodes 107-1,107-2, ..., A write discharge occurs at a grade-separated intersection of 107-m and the nth scanning electrode 102-n, and a positive wall charge is accumulated on the surface of the protective film layer 105 at the intersection. In this way, in the writing period tw, the positive wall charge due to the writing discharge is accumulated in the discharge cell corresponding to the desired display image among the m × n discharge cells, so that the display light emitting portion in the maintenance period tm Select and memorize.

【0005】

Next, in the maintenance period tm, a maintenance pulse, which is the voltage of -Vs (V) shown in FIG. 7 (e), is applied to all the maintenance electrodes 103-1, 103-2, ..., 103-n, followed by The above-mentioned maintenance pulses shown in FIGS. 7 (b), (c), and (d) are applied to all the scanning electrodes 102-1, 102-2, ..., 102-n, respectively. As a result, the positive wall charge accumulated during the writing period tw is released to the maintenance electrodes 103-1, 103-2, ..., 103-n on the protective film layer 105 by the first maintenance pulse. Maintenance discharge is started. Then, in this maintenance discharge, maintenance pulses are alternately and repeatedly applied to all the maintenance electrodes 103-1, 103-2, ..., 103-n and all the scanning electrodes 102-1, 102-2, ..., 102-n. By doing so, it is maintained between n pairs of electrodes, for example, between the maintenance electrode 103-1 and the scanning electrode 102-1 (shown by the circle "S" in FIG. 6 (a)). As a result, the desired display image is displayed on the matrix by light emission due to the maintenance discharge. Subsequently, during the erasure period te, a narrow erasure pulse, which is the voltage of -Vs (V) shown in FIG. 7 (e), is applied to all the maintenance electrodes 103-1, 103-2, ..., 103-n. Will be done. As a result, an erasing discharge occurs in the discharge cell that emits light from the display, and the wall charge accumulated in the discharge cell is neutralized by the erasing discharge, and the maintenance discharge is stopped. As described above, the conventional AC type PDP displays a desired image by repeating this with the display operation period consisting of the writing period tw, the maintenance period tm, and the erasing period te as one cycle.

【0006】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

In the conventional gas discharge type display device as described above and its driving method, in a discharge cell that displays and emits light according to a desired image in one display operation period, write discharge, maintenance discharge, and erasure discharge are sequentially performed. Do. On the other hand, in the discharge cell that does not emit light for display, the above discharge was not performed at all. Therefore, in the discharge cell that did not emit the display light, the wall charge of the protective film layer and the space charge existing in the discharge space were reduced as compared with the discharge cell that emitted the display light. As a result, when the discharge cell that did not emit light for display is to emit light for display in the next display operation period, there is a problem that the write discharge does not occur even if the write pulse is applied, and a write failure occurs. Furthermore, if the write discharge is insufficient, the subsequent maintenance discharge and erasure discharge become unstable, and if the maintenance discharge ends with a weak discharge, the erasure discharge does not occur even if an erasure pulse is applied. There was a problem that erasing failure occurred. As described above, the conventional gas discharge type display device and its driving method have a problem that a discharge cell with poor writing or a discharge cell with poor erasure is generated, and the display quality is deteriorated.

【0007】

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and is a gas discharge type display capable of displaying a high-quality image without generating a discharge cell with poor writing or a discharge cell with poor erasure. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for driving the apparatus.

【0008】

[Means for solving problems]

In the driving method of the gas discharge type display device of the present invention, the first insulating substrate, the second insulating substrate arranged to face the first insulating substrate and forming a discharge space, and the first insulating substrate are provided. A plurality of scanning electrodes arranged parallel to each other on the surface of the substrate on the discharge space side, and a plurality of maintenance electrodes arranged side by side on the first insulating substrate so as to be paired with the plurality of scanning electrodes. A plurality of data electrodes arranged in parallel with each other on the surface of the second insulating substrate on the discharge space side so as to face the scanning electrode and the maintenance electrode via the discharge space, and the plurality of data electrodes. A method for driving a gas discharge type display device, which is surrounded by each of the scanning electrodes, the plurality of maintenance electrodes, and the plurality of data electrodes, and has a plurality of discharge cells each formed in the discharge space. The first step of flowing a discharge current from the scanning electrode toward the data electrode and the second step of flowing a discharge current from the data electrode toward the scanning electrode are executed in all the discharge cells. With the above configuration, in all the discharge cells, discharge occurs between the data electrode and the scanning electrode regardless of the displayed image to be displayed. As a result, the wall charge and the space charge are periodically replenished in all the discharge cells. As a result, write discharge, maintenance discharge, and erasure discharge are likely to occur, and the display quality can be improved without causing write defects and erasure defects.

【0009】

Further, in the driving method of the gas discharge type display device of another invention, the first step is executed in the initialization period in which the positive electrode initialization pulse is applied to the scanning electrode, and the discharge cell that emits light is displayed. A writing period in which a positive writing pulse is applied to the data electrode selected accordingly and a negative scanning pulse is applied to the scanning electrode, a positive full-face writing pulse to the data electrode, and the scanning electrode. The second step is performed with a full write period in which at least one of the negative scanning side full write pulses is applied to the negative electrode. With the above configuration, in all the discharge cells, discharge occurs between the data electrode and the scanning electrode regardless of the displayed image to be displayed. As a result, the wall charge and the space charge are periodically replenished in all the discharge cells. As a result, write discharge, maintenance discharge, and erasure discharge are likely to occur, and the display quality can be improved without causing write defects and erasure defects.

【0010】

Further, in the driving method of the gas discharge type display device of another invention, the second step is executed in the initialization period in which the negative electrode-like initialization pulse is applied to the scanning electrode, and the discharge cell that emits light is displayed. A writing period in which a negative writing pulse is applied to the data electrode selected accordingly and a positive scanning pulse is applied to the scanning electrode, a negative full-face writing pulse to the data electrode, and the scanning electrode. The second step is performed with a full write period in which at least one of the positive scanning side full write pulses is applied. With the above configuration, in all the discharge cells, discharge occurs between the data electrode and the scanning electrode regardless of the displayed image to be displayed. As a result, the wall charge and the space charge are periodically replenished in all the discharge cells. As a result, write discharge, maintenance discharge, and erasure discharge are likely to occur, and the display quality can be improved without causing write defects and erasure defects.

【0011】

The gas discharge type display device of the present invention includes a first insulating substrate, a second insulating substrate which is arranged to face the first insulating substrate and forms a discharge space, and the first insulating substrate. A plurality of scanning electrodes arranged parallel to each other on the surface on the discharge space side, a plurality of maintenance electrodes arranged side by side on the first insulating substrate so as to be paired with the plurality of scanning electrodes, and the above. A plurality of data electrodes arranged in parallel to each other on the surface of the second insulating substrate on the discharge space side so as to face the scanning electrode and the maintenance electrode via the discharge space, and each of the plurality of scans. A plurality of discharge cells surrounded by electrodes, the plurality of maintenance electrodes, and the plurality of data electrodes, each of which is formed in the discharge space, and a discharge current flowing from the scanning electrode toward the data electrode are all included. An initialization pulse is applied to the scanning electrode so as to occur in the discharge cell, and a discharge current flowing from the data electrode toward the scanning electrode is generated in the discharge cell that emits display light and the discharge cell that does not emit light. As described above, the scanning electrode drive circuit that applies the scanning pulse and the scanning side full-scale writing pulse to the scanning electrode, the discharge cell in which the discharge current flowing from the data electrode toward the scanning electrode emits light, and the display light emission. It is provided with a data electrode drive circuit that applies a write pulse and a full-face write pulse to the data electrode so as to occur in the discharge cell. With the above configuration, in all the discharge cells, discharge occurs between the data electrode and the scanning electrode regardless of the displayed image to be displayed. As a result, the wall charge and the space charge are periodically replenished in all the discharge cells. As a result, write discharge, maintenance discharge, and erasure discharge are likely to occur, and the display quality can be improved without causing write defects and erasure defects.

【0012】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment showing the gas discharge type display device of the present invention and a driving method thereof will be described with reference to the drawings.

【0013】

<< First Example >> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a gas discharge type display device as a first example in which the present invention is carried out. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer peripheral of the gas discharge type display device 1 is composed of, for example, a first insulating substrate 2 and a second insulating substrate 11 formed of a soda lime glass plate having a thickness of about 1 mm. There is. The outer peripheral end faces of the first insulating substrate 2 and the second insulating substrate 11 are sealed to each other by a frit 12 made of a low melting point glass material. Further, the external dimensions of the outer peripheral device (H × L dimensions in the figure) are, for example, 290 mm × 117 mm, which constitutes a display screen equivalent to 12 inches. In addition, in order to improve the strength of the outer peripheral device, the first insulating substrate 2 and the second insulating substrate 11 may be formed of a ceramic substrate. Further, since one of the first insulating substrate 2 and the second insulating substrate 11 needs to transmit the discharge light, it needs to be transparent.

【0014】

FIG. 2 (a) is a partially enlarged view showing the main part of the gas discharge type display device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 (b) is a cross section taken along the line IIb-IIb of FIG. 2 (a). It is sectional drawing of the gas discharge type display device. In (a) of FIG. 2 and (b) of FIG. 2, n scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ..., 3-n are formed on the lower surface of the first insulating substrate 2, respectively. A pair of n maintenance electrodes 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-n arranged side by side are arranged in parallel with each other. These n pairs of scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ···, 3-n and maintenance electrodes 4-1, 4-2, ···, 4-n are scanning of the gas discharge type display device 1. It constitutes a line. Further, the scanning electrodes 3-1,3-2, ..., 3-n and the maintenance electrodes 4-1,4-2, ..., 4-n are transparent to the ITO film, tin oxide film, etc. It is formed of a conductive conductive film, and is extended to the end faces opposite to each other in the lateral direction (direction of "h" in FIG. 1) of the gas discharge type display device 1 by using a conductive member such as Ag or Cu. .. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, by providing the side lead 13a on the side surface of the first insulating substrate 2 and further providing the lead terminal portion 13 on the front surface side of the first insulating substrate 2, for example, the scanning electrode 3-1 Pull out, 3-2, ..., 3-n. The lead terminal portion 13 is formed in a portion having a very small area having a width of about 1 mm that does not impair the effective display area 19 of the gas discharge type display device 1. Further, the scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ..., 3-n are insulated from the front surface of the first insulating substrate 2 to the second insulating substrate 2 by, for example, a flexible flexible printed circuit board (not shown) made of polyimide. It is pulled out to the substrate 11 side and connected to the scanning electrode drive circuit 16 (FIG. 3). Similarly, the maintenance electrodes 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-n are also pulled out by the lead terminal portion 14 via the side lead 14a to the maintenance electrode drive circuit 17 (FIG. 3). Be connected.

【0015】

The scanning electrodes 3-1,3-2, ···, 3-n and the maintenance electrodes 4-1,4-2, ···, 4-n are dielectric layers formed of lead borosilicate glass or the like. It is covered by 5 and faces the discharge space 7 via the protective film layer 6. The protective film layer 6 is formed by laminating an alkaline earth oxide such as MgO on the entire surface of the dielectric layer 5. Further, in the discharge space 7, for example, a mixed gas of at least one gas of helium, neon, and argon and a xenon gas is sealed as a discharge gas. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of partition walls 8 are provided in a stripe shape between the protective film layer 6 and the second insulating substrate 11, and the discharge space 7 is divided into a plurality of discharge cells. The partition wall 8 is made of low melting point glass such as zinc-based glass. Further, a predetermined phosphor 9 is provided in a stripe shape between the adjacent partition walls 8, and data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p are provided in the lower layer of each of them. There is. In the case of color display, for example, three phosphors 9 that emit green (G), red (R), and blue (B) are configured as one pixel, and are arranged in the horizontal direction of the gas discharge type display device 1. Arrange m pairs (m is a positive integer).

【0016】

Multiple data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ···, 10-p are n pairs of scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ···, 3-n, and maintenance across the discharge space 7. The second in the vertical direction (direction of "l" in FIG. 1) of the gas discharge type display device 1 so as to be arranged in a three-dimensional crossing with the electrodes 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-n. It is provided parallel to each other between both end faces of the insulating substrate 2. In this way, a plurality of data electrodes 10-1,10-2, ···, 10-p, n pairs of scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ···, 3-n, and a maintenance electrode 4 -1,4-2, ···, 4-n are arranged in a matrix in the outer peripheral of the gas discharge type display device 1, and m sets × n discharge cells are configured at each intersection of the matrix. Will be done. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p are provided with side leads 15a on the side surface of the second insulating substrate 11, and further, the second glass. By providing a lead terminal portion (not shown) on the front surface side of the substrate 11, the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p are drawn out to the outside. The lead terminal portion is formed in a portion having a very small area having a width of about 1 mm, similarly to the lead terminal portions 13 and 14. Further, the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p are connected to the data electrode drive circuit 18 (FIG. 3) by a flexible printed circuit board (not shown) or the like.

【0017】

As described above, in the gas discharge type display device 1 of this embodiment, the lead terminal portions 13 of the scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ..., 3-n, and the maintenance electrodes 4-1, 4-2. , ..., 4-n lead terminal portions 14 are formed in a very small area having a width of about 1 mm along both ends of the first glass substrate 2 in the vertical direction of the gas discharge type display device 1. There is. Further, the lead terminal portions 15 of the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p are not provided on the first glass substrate 2 side, but are formed on the surface of the second glass substrate 11. There is. As a result, the gas discharge type display device 1 is formed in which only a very small area having a width of about 1 mm provided around the outside of the device becomes an invalid display area and the other part becomes an effective display area 19 (Fig. 1). Will be done. In this way, the effective display area 19 can be enlarged.

【0018】

Next, the driving method of the gas discharge type display device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a driving device of the gas discharge type display device shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows the waveforms of the pulses applied to the data electrode, the scanning electrode and the maintenance electrode in the driving method of the gas discharge type display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and the discharge current flowing between the data electrode and the scanning electrode. It is a timing chart which shows the waveform of. In FIG. 3, the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n, the maintenance electrode group 4-1 to 4-n, and the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p are the scanning electrode drive circuit 16 and the maintenance electrode drive circuit 17. , And the data electrode drive circuit 18 are connected to each other and driven. As shown in FIG. 4, the operating period of the gas discharge type display device 1 is divided into an initialization period ti, a writing period tw, a maintenance period tm, an erasing period te, and a full-scale writing period ta. This operating period is equal to the time required for one subfield.

【0019】

First, in the initialization period ti, all the scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ..., 3-n are positive electrodes in which the voltages shown in (b) to (d) of FIG. 4 are + Vr (V). A sex initialization pulse is applied. As a result, in all the discharge cells, the discharge current shown in FIG. 4 (f) flows from the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n in the direction of the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p and is initialized. An electric discharge occurs, and a positive wall charge is accumulated on the surface of the phosphor 9 at each intersection of the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n and the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p. .. Next, in the writing period tw, the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p selected according to the desired display image of + Vw (V) shown in FIG. 4 (a). A positive writing pulse, which is a voltage, is applied, and at the same time, a negative scanning pulse, which is a voltage of -Vs (V) shown in FIG. 4 (b), is applied to the first scanning electrode 3-1. As a result, for example, when a write pulse is applied to the data electrode 10-1, the discharge current shown in FIG. 4 (f) is a three-dimensional structure of the data electrode 10-1 and the first scanning electrode 3-1. At the intersecting intersection z (Fig. 3), a write discharge occurs by flowing from the data electrode 10-1 in the direction of the scanning electrode 3-1 and a positive wall charge is generated on the surface of the protective film layer 6 at the intersection z. Is accumulated. Next, the above write pulse is applied to the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p selected according to the desired display image, and at the same time, the second scanning electrode 3-2 is shown in the figure. A negative scanning pulse, which is a voltage of -Vs (V) shown in 4 (c), is applied. As a result, the discharge current shown in (f) of Fig. 4 is the steric intersection of the selected data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ···, 10-p and the second scanning electrode 3-2. At a typical intersection, a write discharge occurs by flowing from the selected data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p in the direction of the scanning electrode 3-2, and the protective film layer 6 at the intersection. Positive wall charges are accumulated on the surface of the. Similar operations are performed continuously, and finally, the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., Selected according to the desired display image. The writing pulse is applied to 10-p, and at the same time, a negative scanning pulse, which is a voltage of -Vs (V) shown in FIG. 4 (d), is applied to the nth scanning electrode 3-n. As a result, the discharge current shown in (f) of FIG. 4 is the steric intersection of the selected data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ···, 10-p and the nth scanning electrode 3-n. At a typical intersection, a write discharge occurs by flowing from the selected data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p in the direction of the scanning electrode 3-n, and the protective film layer 6 at the intersection. Positive wall charges are accumulated on the surface of the. In this way, in the write period tw, the positive wall charge due to the write discharge is accumulated in the discharge cell corresponding to the desired display image among the m sets × n discharge cells, so that the display light emission in the maintenance period tm is generated. Select and memorize the location.

【0020】

Next, in the maintenance period tm, all the maintenance electrodes 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-n have negative maintenance pulses, which are the voltages of -Vs (V) shown in (e) of FIG. Is applied, and then the above-mentioned maintenance pulses shown in FIGS. 4 (b) to (d) are applied to all the scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ..., 3-n, respectively. As a result, the positive wall charge accumulated during the writing period tw is released on the protective film layer 6 to the maintenance electrode group 4-1 to 4-n side by the first maintenance pulse, and the maintenance discharge is started. To. Then, this maintenance discharge is applied to all maintenance electrodes 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-n, and all scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ..., 3-n. Is alternately and repeatedly applied, and is maintained between n pairs of electrodes, for example, between the maintenance electrode 4-1 and the scanning electrode 3-1 (shown by the circle T in FIG. 3). As a result, the desired display image is displayed on the matrix by light emission due to the maintenance discharge. Subsequently, in the erasing period te, all the maintenance electrodes 4-1, 4-2, ···, 4-n have a narrow negative electrode property which is the voltage of -Vs (V) shown in (e) of FIG. Erasing pulse is applied. As a result, an erasing discharge occurs in the discharge cell that emits light from the display, and the wall charge accumulated in the discharge cell is neutralized by the erasing discharge, and the maintenance discharge is stopped. When the final maintenance pulse is applied to all the maintenance electrodes 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-n to stop the maintenance discharge, the erasing pulse is the all scanning electrodes 3-1,3. It is applied to -2, ..., 3-n. Subsequently, in the entire writing period ta, all the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ···, 10-p have the positive electrode property, which is the voltage of + Vw (V) shown in FIG. 4 (a). A write pulse is applied, and all scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ..., At the same time. Negative-side full-scale write pulses on the scanning side, which are the voltages of -Vs (V) shown in FIGS. 4 (b) to (d), are applied to 3-n. As a result, the discharge current flows in the direction from the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p to the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n in the discharge cell that was not selected in the writing period tw and did not emit light. Write discharge occurs. This write discharge does not occur in the discharge cell that emits display light. The reason is that the positive wall charge due to the initialization discharge in the initialization period ti remains accumulated on the surface of the phosphor 9 in the discharge cell that did not perform the display emission, whereas the display emission was performed. This is because the discharge cell is discharged to the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n side by the write discharge in the write period tw, and has a lower potential than the discharge cell that did not emit the display light. As described above, in the gas discharge type display device of this embodiment, the display operation period including the initialization period ti, the writing period tw, the maintenance period tm, the erasing period te, and the entire writing period ta is set as one cycle, and this repetition is performed. By doing so, a desired image is displayed. In this embodiment, when the gas discharge type display device 1 is configured to have 80 sets × 32 discharge cells, and the operation period of 1 field is further configured by 8 subfields, the write pulse, the scan pulse, Specific examples of the voltage and application time of the maintenance pulse, the erase pulse, and the initialization pulse are as follows. The write pulse is + 120 V, 5 μs, the scan pulse is -200 V, 5 μs, the maintenance pulse is -200 V, 15 μs, the erase pulse is -200 V, 0.5 μs, and the initialization pulse is + 180 V, 100 μs.

【0021】

In the gas discharge type display device of this embodiment and its driving method, a positive initialization pulse is applied to all scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ..., 3-n during the initialization period ti. By doing so, the first step of flowing a discharge current from the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n to the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p is executed in all the discharge cells. In addition, the second discharge current flows from the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p to the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n in all the discharge cells by combining the writing period tw and the entire writing period ta. Perform the steps in. That is, in the writing period tw, a positive writing pulse is applied to the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p selected according to the desired display image, and all the scanning electrodes 3 Data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p to scanning electrode group 3-1 in a discharge cell that emits display light by applying a negative scanning pulse to -1,3-2, ..., 3-n Discharge current flows in the direction of ~ 3-n. Further, the entire surface writing period ta, all data electrodes 10-1 and 10-2, ..., the positive polarity entire writing write of the 10-p only pulse is applied, and all the scanning electrodes 3-1,3 By applying a negative scanning side full write pulse to -2, ..., 3-n, the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p to the scanning electrode group 3-1 to the discharge cell that does not emit display light. Discharge current flows in the 3-n direction. By executing these first step and the second step, in all the discharge cells, the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p and the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3 regardless of the displayed image to be displayed. A discharge occurs with -n. As a result, the wall charge and the space charge are periodically replenished in all the discharge cells. As a result, write discharge, maintenance discharge, and erasure discharge are likely to occur, and the display quality can be improved without causing write defects and erasure defects.

【0022】

In the entire writing period ta, a positive full writing pulse, which is a voltage of + Vw (V), is applied to all the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p, and all the data electrodes are written. In addition to the above explanation of applying a negative scan-side full-face write pulse, which is a voltage of -Vs (V), to the scan electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ..., 3-n, the scan-side full-write pulse. A voltage of + (Vw + Vs) (V) may be applied to all the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p as a full-face write pulse without applying. In addition, a voltage of-(Vw + Vs) (V) is applied to all scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ..., 3-n as a scanning-side full-write pulse without applying a full-face write pulse. You may.

【0023】

<< Second Example >> FIG. 5 shows the waveform of the pulse applied to the data electrode, the scanning electrode, and the maintenance electrode in the driving method of the gas discharge type display device as the second example in which the present invention is carried out, and the data electrode. It is a timing chart which shows the waveform of the discharge current flowing between a scanning electrode and a scanning electrode. The main difference between Example 2 and Example 1 is that during the initialization period ti, all discharge cells are oriented from the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p to the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n. The second step of passing the discharge current is executed, and the writing period tw and the entire writing period ta are combined, and the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n to the data electrode group 10-1 to 10- are used in all the discharge cells. The first step of passing the discharge current in the direction of p was performed. Since the other points are the same as those of the first embodiment, their duplicate description will be omitted. That is, in the initialization period ti, all the scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ..., 3-n are negative electrodes in which the voltages shown in FIGS. 5 (b) to (d) are -Vr (V). A sex initialization pulse is applied. As a result, in all the discharge cells, the discharge current shown in FIG. 5 (f) flows from the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p in the direction of the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n and is initialized. An electric discharge occurs, and a negative wall charge is accumulated on the surface of the phosphor 9 at each intersection of the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n and the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p. .. Next, in the writing period tw, the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., Selected according to the desired display image, ... A negative write pulse, which is a voltage of 0 (V) shown in Fig. 5 (a), is applied to 10-p, and at the same time, + Vs shown in Fig. 5 (b) is applied to the first scanning electrode 3-1. A positive scanning pulse, which is the voltage of (V), is applied. As a result, for example, when a write pulse is applied to the data electrode 10-1, the discharge current shown in FIG. 5 (f) is a three-dimensional structure of the data electrode 10-1 and the first scanning electrode 3-1. At the intersecting intersection z (Fig. 3), a write discharge occurs by flowing from the scanning electrode 3-1 toward the data electrode 10-1, and a negative wall charge is generated on the surface of the protective film layer 6 at the intersection z. Is accumulated. Next, the above write pulse is applied to the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p selected according to the desired display image, and at the same time, the second scanning electrode 3-2 is shown in the figure. A positive scanning pulse, which is a voltage of + Vs (V) shown in 5 (c), is applied. As a result, the discharge current shown in (f) of Fig. 5 is the steric intersection of the selected data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ···, 10-p and the second scanning electrode 3-2. At the intersection, the data flows in the directions of the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p selected from the scanning electrodes 3-2 to generate a write discharge, and the protective film layer 6 at the intersection. Negative wall charges are accumulated on the surface of the. The same operation is continuously performed, and finally, the above write pulse is applied to the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p selected according to the desired display image, and at the same time, the second A positive scanning pulse, which is a voltage of + Vs (V) shown in FIG. 5 (d), is applied to the nth scanning electrode 3-n. As a result, the discharge current shown in FIG. 5 (f) is a grade separation between the selected data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ···, 10-p and the nth scanning electrode 3-n. Data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., Selected from scanning electrodes 3-n at the intersection A write discharge occurs in the direction of 10-p, and a negative wall charge is accumulated on the surface of the protective film layer 6 at the intersection. In this way, in the write period tw, the negative wall charge due to the write discharge is accumulated in the discharge cell corresponding to the desired display image among the m sets × n discharge cells, so that the display light emission in the maintenance period tm is generated. Select and memorize the location.

【0024】

Next, in the maintenance period tm, all scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ..., 3-n have a negative electrode property which is a voltage of 0 (V) shown in FIGS. 5 (b) to (d). The maintenance pulse of is applied, and then the above-mentioned maintenance pulse shown in FIG. 5 (e) is applied to all the maintenance electrodes 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-n, respectively. As a result, the negative wall charge accumulated during the writing period tw is released on the protective film layer 6 to the maintenance electrode group 4-1 to 4-n side by the first maintenance pulse, and the maintenance discharge is started. To. Then, this maintenance discharge is applied to all maintenance electrodes 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-n, and all scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ..., 3-n. Is alternately and repeatedly applied, and is maintained between n pairs of electrodes, for example, between the maintenance electrode 4-1 and the scanning electrode 3-1 (shown by the circle T in FIG. 3). As a result, the desired display image is displayed on the matrix by light emission due to the maintenance discharge. Subsequently, in the erasing period te, all the maintenance electrodes 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-n have a narrow negative electrode property having a voltage of 0 (V) shown in FIG. 5 (e). An erasing pulse is applied. As a result, an erasing discharge occurs in the discharge cell that emits light from the display, and the wall charge accumulated in the discharge cell is neutralized by the erasing discharge, and the maintenance discharge is stopped. When the final maintenance pulse is applied to all the maintenance electrodes 4-1, 4-2, ..., 4-n to stop the maintenance discharge, the erasing pulse is the all scanning electrodes 3-1,3. It is applied to -2, ..., 3-n. Subsequently, in the entire writing period ta, all the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p are negatively written on the entire surface, which is the voltage of 0 (V) shown in FIG. 5 (a). A pulse is applied and all scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ..., at the same time A positive scan-side full-scale write pulse, which is a voltage of + Vs (V) shown in FIGS. 5 (b) to (d), is applied to 3-n. As a result, the discharge current flows from the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n to the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p in the discharge cell that was not selected in the writing period tw and did not emit light. Write discharge occurs. This write discharge does not occur in the discharge cell that emits display light. The reason is that the negative wall charge due to the initialization discharge in the initialization period ti remains accumulated on the surface of the phosphor 9 in the discharge cell that did not perform the display emission, whereas the display emission is performed. This is because the discharge cell is discharged to the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p side by the write discharge in the write period tw, and has a lower potential than the discharge cell in which the display light emission is not performed. As described above, the gas discharge type display device 1 of the present embodiment repeats the display operation period including the initialization period ti, the writing period tw, the maintenance period tm, the erasing period te, and the entire writing period ta as one cycle. By performing the above, a desired image is displayed.

【0025】

In the gas discharge type display device of this embodiment and its driving method, a negative electrodeural initialization pulse is applied to all scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ..., 3-n during the initialization period ti. By doing so, the second step of flowing a discharge current from the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p in the direction of the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n is executed in all the discharge cells. In addition, the first discharge current flows from the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n to the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p in all the discharge cells by combining the writing period tw and the entire writing period ta. Perform the steps in. That is, in the writing period tw, a negative writing pulse is applied to the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p selected according to the desired display image, and all the scanning electrodes 3 By applying a positive scanning pulse to -1,3-2, ..., 3-n, the discharge cell that emits display light emits light from the scanning electrodes 3-1 to 3-n to the data electrode group 10-1. Discharge current flows in the direction of ~ 10-p. Further, during the full-face writing period ta, a negative full-face writing pulse is applied to all the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p, and all scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2. By applying a positive scanning-side full-face writing pulse to, ..., 3-n, the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n to the data electrode group 10-1 to 10- are used in the discharge cell that does not emit display light. A discharge current is passed in the direction of p. By executing these first step and the second step, in all the discharge cells, the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p and the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3 regardless of the displayed image to be displayed. A discharge occurs with -n. As a result, the wall charge and the space charge are periodically replenished in all the discharge cells. As a result, write discharge, maintenance discharge, and erasure discharge are likely to occur, and the display quality can be improved without causing write defects and erasure defects.

【0026】

In the entire write period ta, a negative all-write pulse, which is a voltage of 0 (V), is applied to all the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p, and all scans are performed. In addition to the above-mentioned explanation that a positive scanning-side full-face writing pulse, which is a voltage of + Vs (V), is applied to the electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ..., 3-n, a scanning-side full-face writing pulse is applied. A voltage of -Vs (V) may be applied to all the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ..., 10-p as a full write pulse without applying the voltage. In addition, a voltage of + (Vw + Vs) (V) is applied to all scanning electrodes 3-1, 3-2, ..., 3-n as a scanning-side full-write pulse without applying a full-face write pulse. You may.

【0027】

In the above two examples, the case where the maintenance pulse and the erasure pulse have a negative electrode property has been described, but when one or both of the maintenance pulse and the erasure pulse have a positive electrode property, the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained. can get. Further, although the scanning pulse, the maintenance pulse, and the erasing pulse all have the same voltage amplitude of Vs (V), the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained even if pulse voltages having different voltage amplitudes are used. Be done. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a square wave pulse voltage is used for the initialization pulse, but a pulse voltage having a waveform with a gradual rise or fall is also used for the initialization pulse. , The same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained. Further, in the first embodiment, in the initialization period ti in which the initialization pulse is applied, the directions from the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n to the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p in all the discharge cells. Execute the first step of flowing the discharge current to the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p to the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3 in all the discharge cells by combining the writing period tw and the entire writing period ta. The case of executing the second step of flowing the discharge current in the direction of -n has been described. Further, in the second embodiment, in the initialization period ti in which the initialization pulse is applied, the directions from the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p to the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n in all the discharge cells. Perform the second step of flowing the discharge current to, and combine the writing period tw and the entire writing period ta, from the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n to the data electrode group 10-1 to 10- in all cells. The case of executing the first step of passing the discharge current in the direction of p has been described. The first step of flowing a discharge current from the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n to the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p even during other operating periods using pulses other than those described. And, if the second step of flowing the discharge current from the data electrode group 10-1 to 10-p in the direction of the scanning electrode group 3-1 to 3-n is executed in all the discharge cells, the above embodiment can be obtained. A similar effect can be obtained.

【0028】

Further, the driving method of the gas discharge type display device of the present invention has a structure in which the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ... 10-p shown in Examples 1 and 2 are directly covered with the phosphor 9. It can be applied not only to the gas discharge type display device of the above, but also to the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ... 10-p covered with a dielectric layer. Further, the writing period tw is also for a device in which the data electrodes 10-1, 10-2, ... 10-p are exposed to the discharge space 7 and the discharge light emission is directly used for display without providing the phosphor 9. In the above, although the wall charge is not accumulated on the surface of the data electrode, the wall charge equivalent to the wall charge is accumulated on the surfaces of the protective film layer covering the scanning electrode and the maintenance electrode, respectively. The method can be applied.

【0029】

[Effect of the invention]

As is clear from the details described above in the examples, according to the gas discharge type display device of the present invention and the driving method thereof, the first discharge current flows from the scanning electrode group to the data electrode group. The step and the second step of flowing a discharge current from the data electrode group to the scanning electrode group are executed in all the discharge cells. As a result, the wall charge and the space charge are periodically replenished in all the discharge cells, and the write discharge, the maintenance discharge, and the erase discharge are likely to occur. As a result, the display quality can be improved without causing writing defects and erasing defects.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

The perspective view which shows the gas discharge type display device which is Example 1 of this invention.

[Figure 2]

The block diagram which shows the main part of the gas discharge type display device of FIG.

[Fig. 3]

The block diagram which shows the drive device of the gas discharge type display device shown in FIG.

[Fig. 4]

The waveform of the pulse applied to the data electrode, the scanning electrode and the maintenance electrode in the driving method of the gas discharge type display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and the waveform of the discharge current flowing between the data electrode and the scanning electrode are shown. Timing chart.

[Fig. 5]

The waveform of the pulse applied to the data electrode, the scanning electrode and the maintenance electrode in the driving method of the gas discharge type display device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and the waveform of the discharge current flowing between the data electrode and the scanning electrode are shown. Timing chart.

[Fig. 6]

The block diagram which shows the main part of the conventional AC type PDP.

[Fig. 7]

A timing chart showing the waveforms of pulses applied to the data electrode, scanning electrode, and maintenance electrode of the conventional AC type PDP.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 First insulating substrate 3 scanning electrode 4 Maintenance electrode 7 Discharge space 10 Data electrodes 12 Second insulating substrate 16 Scan electrode drive circuit 18 Data electrode drive circuit