Active matrix electroluminescent display device

An active matrix electroluminescent display device, comprising:

• an array of display pixels, each display pixel including
• an electroluminescent display element and a driving device for controlling the current through said electroluminescent display element in a drive period based on a drive signal applied to said electroluminescent display pixel during an address period preceding the drive period and stored as a charge on a storage capacitance associated with said driving device, and
• electro-optic discharging means coupled to the storage capacitance for controlling the amount of light output from said display pixel in the drive period, said electro-optic discharging means being responsive to light produced by said electroluminescent display element during the drive period and arranged to leak charge from the storage capacitance at a rate dependent on an output level of light of said electroluminescent display element in the drive period,
• wherein said electro-optic discharging means rapidly discharges the storage capacitance and curtails light output from said electroluminescent display element at a point in the drive period which is controlled by, and dependent on, an operation of said electroluminescent display element, and
• wherein a controlled point at which said electro-optic discharging means operates to rapidly discharge the storage capacitance is determined by an operational characteristic of said display pixel indicative of the light output of said electroluminescent display element reaching a certain low level.