A method of driving a fluorescent display device comprising:
- a cathode unit including a plurality of cathodes arranged in a matrix array;
- an anode unit including first and second groups of anode electrodes disposed above said cathode unit, arranged parallel to each other and coated with a fluorescent substance, the anode electrode of each group being connected commonly to each other by wiring, the anode electrodes of one of the first and second groups being disposed as alternating with those of the other group;
- a voltage applying means for applying voltages of opposite polarities respectively to the first and second groups of anode electrodes and alternating the polarities of the voltages;
- and
- a display controlling means for controlling electron emitting positions on the cathode unit and said voltage applying means, and
- wherein said plurality of cathodes include a plurality of emitter electrode lines each having a plurality of emitter tips, and a plurality of gate electrode lines formed perpendicular to said emitter electrode lines for attracting electrons emitted from the emitter tips, with an insulation film being interposed therebetween;
- and
- said emitter electrode lines extend parallel to the anode electrodes of said anode unit, and are disposed so that each of said emitter electrode lines corresponds in width to two adjacent anode electrodes of the anode;
- and
- said fluorescent substance includes a fluorescent substance of a first color, a fluorescent substance of a second color and a fluorescent substance of a third color, which respectively represent the three primary colors, and the anode electrodes of the anode unit are respectively coated with the fluorescent substance of the first color, the fluorescent substance of the second color and the fluorescent substance of the third color in a repeated color sequence of the first color, second color, first color and third color;
- and
- anode electrodes coated with the fluorescent substance of the first color constitute the first group of anode electrodes and are all interconnected so as to have an equal potential, while anode electrodes coated with the fluorescent substance of the second color and the fluorescent substance of the third color constitute the second group of anode electrodes and are all interconnected so as to have an equal potential;
- and
- comprising the steps of:
- applying a voltage to the first group of anode electrodes by the voltage applying means to adjust the potential thereof to a level that allows the anode electrodes of the first group to attract electrons emitted from the cathode and, at the same time, applying a voltage to the second group of anode electrodes by the voltage applying means to adjust the potential thereof to a level that prevents the electrons emitted from the cathode from reaching the anode electrodes of the second group in a first light emission mode for exciting the fluorescent substance of the first color for emission of the first color light;
- and
- applying a voltage to the second group of anode electrodes by the voltage applying means to adjust the potential thereof to a level that allows the anode electrodes of the second group to attract electrons emitted from the cathode and, at the same time, applying a voltage to the first group of anode electrodes by the voltage applying means to adjust the potential thereof to a level that prevents the electrons emitted from the cathode from reaching the anode electrodes of the first group in a second light emission mode for exciting the fluorescent substances of the second and third colors for emission of their respective color lights.