Method for driving a gas-discharge panel

A method for driving a gas-discharge panel in which a plurality of discharge cells each having a memory function produced by a wall charge are arranged in a matrix, the method comprising:

• applying a predetermined preparation pulse to all of the discharge cells arranged in the matrix, simultaneously, so as to set a wall charge of each of the discharge cells to a predetermined level;
• addressing to make the discharge cells of the matrix forming the wall charge perform line-sequential addressing discharges;
• displaying by applying a predetermined sustain pulse to the discharge cells arranged in the matrix, so as to make the addressed discharge cells perform sustain discharges;
• and
• the addressing including generating a discharge in the discharge cells of the matrix, wherein a discharge of a first intensity is generated in the discharge cells to be addressed by applying a voltage producing a discharges having a level sufficient to store sufficient wall charge for restarting the discharges in the displaying, while a discharge of a second intensity is generated in the discharge cells not to be addressed, the second intensity lowering a level of the wall charge set in the applying to a level that disables restarting the discharge in the displaying.

A method for driving a gas-discharge panel having a display screen including cells arranged in rows and columns, a scanning electrode for selecting a corresponding row and a data electrode for selecting a corresponding column crossing at a corresponding cell, the scanning electrode making a main electrode pair with a third electrode at respective corresponding cells, at least two of the two electrodes making the main electrode pair and the data electrode being covered with a dielectric layer for providing wall voltage, the method comprising:

• performing an addressing preparation to initialize the wall voltage of all cells of the screen, performing line-sequential addressing to control the wall voltage of all cells of the screen in accordance with binary display data and sustaining by applying an alternating voltage to all cells of a selected row, repeatedly;
• applying a voltage to at least one of electrode gaps of the cells generating a discharge in the addressing, in the addressing preparation the voltage increasing from a first set value to a second set value, so as to adjust the wall voltage of the electrode gap by generating plural discharges or a continuous discharge in a rising period of the voltage;
• and
• setting the voltage to be applied to the electrode gap to which the increasing voltage is applied higher than the second set value irrespective of a value of display data, when a scanning pulse for selecting a corresponding row is applied to the scanning electrode in the addressing.

A method for driving a plasma display panel having a scan electrode and an address electrode that crosses the scan electrode and having an addressing period in which a cell is selected by generating an addressing discharge in a cell to be lit, the method comprising:

• in the addressing period,
• applying, to the scan electrode, a scan pulse having a potential that causes a discharge weaker than the addressing discharge in a non-selected cell on the scan electrode;
• applying, in synchronism with the application of the scan pulse, to the address electrode, an address pulse for generating the addressing discharge in a selected cell on the scan electrode;
• and
• selecting, thereby, the cell to be lit.

A plasma display device provided with a scan electrode and an address electrode that crosses the scan electrode, and having an addressing period during which an addressing discharge is caused in a cell to thereby select the cell, the plasma display device comprising:

• a scan driver for applying a scan pulse to the scan electrode;
• an address driver for applying an address pulse to the address electrode;
• and
• a controller for controlling the scan driver and the address driver,
• wherein, during a preparation period for adjusting a wall voltage preceding the addressing period, the controller controls the scan driver such that the scan driver applies, to the scan electrode, a first pulse having a voltage changing with time and reaching a first potential having a negative polarity, and
• wherein, during the addressing period, the controller controls the scan driver such that scan driver applies, to the scan electrode, a scan pulse having a potential that is lower than the first potential and that causes a discharge weaker than an addressing discharge in a non-selected cell on the scan electrode, and at the same time controls the address driver such that the address driver applies, in synchronism with the application of the scan pulse, to the address electrode, an address pulse for generating the addressing discharge in a selected cell on the scan electrode.

A display device using a plasma display panel provided with discharging cells formed at individual intersections at which a plurality of pairs of main electrodes each pair of which formed of a scan electrode and a sustain electrode intersect with a plurality of address electrodes extending in a direction perpendicular to the pairs of main electrodes, the display device comprising:

• a data processing circuit for converting an image signal of one frame to be displayed into a plurality of pieces of subfield data that indicate whether the cells should be lit or not;
• a scan driver for driving the scan electrode;
• an address driver for applying an address pulse that controls lighting of the cells in accordance with the subfield data;
• and
• a controller for controlling the scan driver and the address driver by dividing a display period of one frame into a plurality of subfield periods, and at the same time dividing at least one subfield period into preparation, addressing, and sustaining periods,
• wherein, during the preparation period, the controller controls the scan driver such that the scan driver applies, between the scan electrode and the sustain electrode, a voltage changing with time and reaching a first potential having a negative polarity on a side of the scan electrode, and
• wherein, during the addressing period immediately following the preparation period, the controller controls the scan driver such that scan driver applies, a scan pulse having a potential that is lower than the first potential and that causes a discharge weaker than an addressing discharge in a non-selected cell on the scan electrode, and controls the address driver such that the address driver applies, in synchronism with the application of the scan pulse, to the address electrode in accordance with the subfield data, an address pulse for generating the addressing discharge in a selected cell on the selected scan electrode.