KR20050111179A - Discharge display panel wherein middle electrode lines and channels of dielectric layer, and method of driving the discharge display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

In the discharge display panel according to the present invention, a front substrate and a rear substrate are spaced apart from each other, and X and Y electrode lines are alternately and side-by-side formed between the substrates so that XY electrode line pairs are set. A dielectric layer covering the pairs is formed, and the address electrode lines are formed to intersect with respect to the X and Y electrode lines, so that discharge cells are set as these crossing regions. Here, M electrode lines are respectively formed between the X electrode lines and the Y electrode lines of each of the XY electrode line pairs, and grooves are formed in parallel to the M electrode lines in the dielectric layer.

Description

Discharge display panel where middle electrode lines and channels of dielectric layer, and method of driving the discharge display panel

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a discharge display panel and a method of driving the discharge display panel, and more particularly, having a front substrate and a rear substrate opposed to each other, wherein X and Y electrode lines are alternately arranged side by side. XY electrode line pairs are formed, a dielectric layer covering the XY electrode line pairs is formed, and address electrode lines are formed to intersect with respect to the X and Y electrode lines, so that the discharge cells are set as these crossing regions. A discharge display panel and a driving method of the discharge display panel.

In a typical discharge display device, for example, the plasma display device of US Pat. No. 6,531,995, a display is performed between the Y electrode lines and the X electrode lines after addressing is performed between the Y electrode lines and the address electrode lines. -Maintenance discharge is performed.

In the above discharge display apparatus, it is required to lower the driving voltages to be applied between the electrode lines by increasing the discharge efficiency by a more efficient panel structure and driving method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a discharge display panel and a driving method thereof capable of lowering driving voltages to be applied between electrode lines by increasing discharge efficiency by a more efficient structure.

In the discharge display panel of the present invention for achieving the above object, having a front substrate and a rear substrate spaced apart from each other, the X and Y electrode lines are formed alternately and side by side between the substrate is set XY electrode line pairs, A dielectric layer covering the XY electrode line pairs is formed, and address electrode lines are formed to intersect with respect to the X and Y electrode lines, so that discharge cells are set as the crossing regions. Here, M electrode lines are respectively formed between X electrode lines and Y electrode lines of each of the XY electrode line pairs, and grooves are formed in the dielectric layer in parallel with the M electrode lines.

According to the discharge display panel of the present invention, since the grooves are formed in the dielectric layer, the average discharge distance between the X electrode lines and the Y electrode lines of each of the XY electrode line pairs is closer, and the discharge space is wider. Accordingly, since the discharge efficiency is high, the driving voltages to be applied between the electrode lines may be lowered. In addition, since the M electrode lines are formed to correspond to the grooves, the discharge efficiency may be higher by applying an auxiliary potential to the M electrode lines.

In the method of driving the discharge display panel of the present invention, the main pulses are alternately applied to the X electrode lines and the Y electrode lines so that the discharge cells selected and having the set wall voltage cause display-maintain discharge. Each time pulses are applied, auxiliary pulses are applied to the M electrode lines.

According to the driving method of the discharge display panel of the present invention, auxiliary pulses are applied to the M electrode lines whenever the main pulses are applied, so that the intensity of the electric field and the amount of space charges are multiplied. The efficiency of can be higher.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail.

1 shows a structure of a four-electrode surface discharge plasma display panel as a discharge display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an example of one discharge cell of the panel of FIG. 1. 1 and 2, between the front and rear glass substrates 10 and 13 of the four-electrode surface discharge plasma display panel 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the address electrode lines A _R1,. ..., A _Bm ), dielectric layers 11 and 15, Y electrode lines (Y ₁ , ..., Y _n ), M electrode lines (M ₁ , ..., M _n ), X electrode line (X ₁ , ..., X _n ), phosphor 16, partition 17, and magnesium monoxide (MgO) layer 12 as a protective layer are provided.

The address electrode lines A _R1 ,..., A _Bm are formed in a predetermined pattern on the front side of the rear glass substrate 13. The lower dielectric layer 15 is entirely applied in front of the address electrode lines A _R1 ,..., A _Bm . In front of the lower dielectric layer 15, barrier ribs 17 are formed in a direction parallel to the address electrode lines A _R1 ,..., A _Bm . These partitions 17 function to partition the discharge area of each discharge cell and prevent optical cross talk between each discharge cell. The fluorescent layer 16 is applied between the partition walls 17.

At the rear of the front glass substrate 10, the X electrode lines X ₁ , ..., X _n and the Y electrode lines Y ₁ , ..., Y _n are formed alternately and side by side to form XY Electrode line pairs X ₁ Y ₁ , X ₂ Y ₂ ,..., X _n Y _n are set. All XY electrode line pairs X ₁ Y ₁ , X ₂ Y ₂ ,..., X _n Y _n are formed to intersect with the address electrode lines A _R1 ,..., A _Bm . Discharge cells are set as crossing regions. Here, M electrode lines M ₁ , between X electrode lines and Y electrode lines of each of all XY electrode line pairs X ₁ Y ₁ , X ₂ Y ₂ ,..., X _n Y _n . ..., M _n ) are formed respectively. Each M electrode line (M ₁ , ..., M _n ), each X electrode line (X ₁ , ..., X _n ), and each Y electrode line (Y ₁ , ..., Y _n ) are ITO The transparent electrode line (M _na , X _na , Y _na of FIG. 2) of a transparent conductive material, such as (Indium Tin Oxide), and the metal electrode line (M _nb , X _nb , Y _nb of FIG. 2) to increase conductivity It is formed.

The front dielectric layer 11 includes X electrode lines X ₁ ,..., X _n , M electrode lines M ₁ ,..., M _n , and Y electrode lines Y ₁ ,... , Y _n ) is formed by applying the entire surface to the back. Here, grooves are formed in parallel with the M electrode lines M ₁ ,..., M _n .

A protective layer 12 for protecting the panel 1 from a strong electric field, for example, a magnesium monoxide (MgO) layer, is formed by applying the entire surface to the back of the front dielectric layer 11. The plasma forming gas is sealed in the discharge space 14.

In the driving method applied to such a plasma display panel, the resetting, addressing, and display-sustaining steps are sequentially performed in the unit sub-field. In the resetting phase, all the discharge cells have a constant wall charge state. In the addressing step, a predetermined wall voltage is generated in the selected discharge cells. In the display-holding step, a predetermined alternating voltage is applied to all XY electrode line pairs so that the discharge cells in which the wall voltage is formed in the addressing step cause display-holding discharges. In this display-holding step, plasma is formed in the discharge space 14, i.e., the gas layer, of the selected discharge cells causing the display-holding discharge, and the fluorescent layer 16 is excited by the ultraviolet radiation to generate light. Related contents will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4.

According to the discharge display panel according to the present invention as described above, since the grooves are formed in the front dielectric layer 11, each of the XY electrode line pairs (X ₁ Y ₁ , X ₂ Y ₂ , ..., X _n Y _n ) The average discharge distance between the X electrode lines and the Y electrode lines of N is closer and the discharge space is wider. Accordingly, since the discharge efficiency is high, the driving voltages to be applied between the electrode lines can be lowered. In addition, since M electrode lines M ₁ ,... M _n are formed to correspond to the grooves of the dielectric layer 11, an auxiliary potential is applied to the M electrode lines M ₁ ,..., M _n . By doing so, the discharge efficiency can be higher. Related contents will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 3, the driving apparatus of the plasma display panel 1 of FIG. 1 includes an image processor 66, a logic controller 62, an address driver 63, an M driver 65, an X driver 64, and Y driver 67 is included.

The image processor 66 processes an external image signal to generate an internal image signal including red (R), green (G), and blue (B) digital image data, a clock signal, and vertical and horizontal synchronization signals. The logic controller 62 generates drive-control signals S _A , S _M , S _Y , S _X in accordance with an internal image signal from the image processor 66. The address driver 63 processes the address signals S _A from the logic controller 62 to generate display data signals, and generates the generated display data signals through the address electrode lines A _R1 ,. _Bm ). The M driver 65 operates according to the M drive-control signal S _M from the logic controller 62 to drive the M electrode lines M ₁ ,..., M _n . The X driver 64 operates in accordance with the X drive-control signal S _X from the logic controller 62 to drive the X electrode lines X ₁ ,..., X _n . The Y driver 64 operates in accordance with the Y drive-control signal S _Y from the logic controller 62 to drive the Y electrode lines Y ₁ ,..., Y _n .

4 illustrates a driving scheme used by the driving apparatus of FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 3, each unit frame is divided into _eight subfields SF ₁ ,..., SF ₈ to realize time division gray scale display. In addition, each subfield SF ₁ , ..., SF ₈ has a reset time R ₁ , ..., R ₈ , an addressing time A ₁ , ..., A ₈ , and sustain-discharge It is divided by time S ₁ , ..., S ₈ .

The discharge conditions of all the display cells become uniform at each reset time R ₁ ,..., R ₈ , while being adapted to the addressing to be performed in the next step.

Each addressing time _{(A 1, ..., A 8} ), the address electrode lines (Fig. 1 A _R1, ..., A _Bm) display data signals are applied at the same time as soon each Y electrode lines in the (Y _1, ..., Y _n ), the scanning pulses are sequentially applied. Accordingly, when high level display data signals are applied while the scan pulse is applied, wall charges are formed by the addressing discharge in the corresponding discharge cell, and wall charges are not formed in the discharge cell that is not.

At each sustain-discharge time (S ₁ , ..., S ₈ ), all Y electrode lines (Y ₁ , ..., Y _n ) and all X electrode lines (X ₁ , ..., X _n) Sustain-discharge pulses are alternately applied, causing display discharge in discharge cells in which wall charges are formed at corresponding addressing times A ₁ ,..., A ₈ . Therefore, the luminance of the plasma display panel is proportional to the length of the sustain-discharge time S ₁ ,..., S ₈ occupied in the unit frame. The length of the sustain-discharge time S ₁ , ..., S ₈ occupied in the unit frame is 255T (T is the unit time). Therefore, it can be displayed in 256 gray levels, including the case where it is not displayed once in a unit frame.

Here, the time 1T corresponding to 2 ⁰ is the sustain-discharge time S ₁ of the first subfield SF ₁ , and the time 1T corresponding to the sustain-discharge time S ₂ of the second subfield SF ₂ is 2. ^The time 2T corresponding to ¹ is maintained in the third subfield SF ₃ -In the discharge time S ₃ , the time 4T corresponding to 2 ² is maintained in the fourth subfield SF ₄ . The discharge time S ₄ has a time 8T corresponding to 2 ³ , and the sustaining-discharge time S ₅ of the fifth subfield SF ₅ has a time 16T corresponding to 2 ⁴ , and the sixth sub field maintenance of the (SF ₆₎ - discharge time (S _6), this time (32T) corresponding to 2 ^5, 7 keep the sub-fields (SF ₇₎ - discharge time period that is equivalent to 2 ⁶ (S ₇₎ 64T and time 128T corresponding to 2 ⁷ are set in the sustain-discharge time S ₈ of the eighth subfield SF ₈ , respectively.

Accordingly, if the subfield to be displayed among the eight subfields is appropriately selected, the display of 256 gray levels can be performed including all zero (zero) gray levels that are not displayed in any of the subfields.

FIG. 5 shows an example of signals applied to electrode lines of the plasma display panel 1 of FIG. 1 in the unit sub-field SF of FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, reference numeral S _{AR1 ..ABm} denotes a drive signal applied to each address electrode line (A _R1 , A _G1 ,..., A _Gm , A _{Bm in} FIG. 1), and S _{X1 .. Xn} denotes an X electrode. The driving signal applied to the lines (X ₁ , ..., X _n of FIG. 1), and S _Y1 , ..., S _Yn are the respective Y electrode lines (Y ₁ , ... Y _n of FIG. 1). The driving signal applied to the S _{M1 ..Mn} indicates the driving signal applied to the M electrode lines (M ₁ , ... MX _{n in} FIG. 1), respectively.

1, 2, and 5, in the first time t1 to t2 of the resetting time R of the unit sub-field SF, first, the X electrode lines X ₁ , ..., X _The voltage applied to _n ) is continuously raised from the ground voltage V _G to the second voltage V _S. Here, Y electrode lines (Y ₁ , ..., Y _n ), address electrode lines (A _R1 , ..., A _Bm ), and M electrode lines (M ₁ , ... MX _n ) The ground potential V _G is applied to it. Accordingly, between the X electrode lines (X ₁ , ..., X _n ) and the Y electrode lines (Y ₁ , ..., Y _n ), the X electrode lines (X ₁ , ..., X _n) ) And the address electrode lines A ₁ , ..., A _m , and the X electrode lines X ₁ , ..., X _n and the M electrode lines M ₁ , ... MX _n Weak discharges occur in between, forming negative wall charges around the X electrode lines (X ₁ ,..., X _n ).

In the second time t2 to t3 as the wall charge accumulation time, the potential applied to the Y electrode lines Y ₁ ,..., Y _n is changed from the second potential V _S to the first potential V _SET +. Continuously rising up to V _S ). Here, the X electrode lines X ₁ , ..., X _n , the address electrode lines A _R1 , ..., A _Bm , and the M electrode lines M ₁ , ... MX _n Ground potential V _G is applied. Accordingly, a weak discharge occurs between the Y electrode lines Y ₁ ,..., Y _n and the respective electrode lines. Here, the discharge between the Y electrode lines (Y ₁ , ..., Y _n ) and the X electrode lines (X ₁ , ..., X _n ) becomes relatively strong, because the X electrode This is because negative wall charges were formed around the lines X ₁ , ..., X _n . Accordingly, many negative wall charges are formed around the Y electrode lines (Y ₁ , ..., Y _n ), and positive wall charges are formed around the X electrode lines (X ₁ , ..., X _n ). Are formed, and less positive wall charges are formed around the address electrode lines A _R1 , ..., A _Bm and the M electrode lines M ₁ , ... MX _n .

In the third time t3 to t4 as the wall charge distribution time, the Y electrode in a state where the potential applied to the X electrode lines X ₁ ,..., X _n is maintained at the second potential V _S. The potential applied to the lines Y ₁ , ..., Y _n is continuously lowered from the second potential V _S to the ground potential V _G as the third potential. Here, the ground potential V _G is applied to the address electrode lines A _R1 , ..., A _Bm and the M electrode lines M ₁ , ... MX _n . Accordingly, due to the weak discharge between the X electrode lines (X ₁ ,..., X _n ) and the Y electrode lines (Y ₁ , ..., Y _n ), the Y electrode lines (Y ₁ ,. Some of the negative wall charges around .., Y _n ) move around the X electrode lines X ₁ ,..., X _n . Accordingly, the wall electric-potential of the X electrode lines X ₁ , ..., X _n is lower than the wall potential of the address electrode lines A _R1 , ..., A _Bm and the Y electrode Higher than the wall potential of the lines Y ₁ , ..., Y _n . As a result, the addressing voltage V _A -V _G required for the counter discharge between the selected address electrode lines and the Y electrode line may be lowered at the subsequent addressing time A. FIG. Meanwhile, since the ground potential V _G is applied to all the address electrode lines A _R1 ,..., A _Bm and the M electrode lines M ₁ , ... MX _n , the address electrode lines A _{R 1} , ..., A _Bm ) and the M electrode lines M ₁ , ... MX _n are the X electrode lines X ₁ , ..., X _n and the Y electrode lines Y ₁ ,. ..., the positive electrode surrounding the discharge performed with respect to Y _n), and the address electrode lines due to a discharge (a _R1, ..., a _Bm) and the M electrode lines (M _1, ... MX _n) Wall charges of the castle disappear.

In the subsequent addressing time A, the display data signal is applied to the address electrode lines A _R1 ,..., A _Bm and biased to the fifth potential V _SCAN lower than the second potential V _S. As the scan signal of the ground potential V _G is sequentially applied to the Y electrode lines Y ₁ ,..., And Y _n , smooth addressing may be performed. The display data signal applied to each of the address electrode lines A _R1 , ..., A _Bm is applied with the positive addressing potential V _A when the display cell is selected and the ground potential V _G when the display cell is not selected. do. Accordingly, when the display data signal of the positive addressing potential V _A is applied while the scan pulse of the ground potential V _G is applied, wall charges are formed by the addressing discharge in the corresponding display cell. Wall charges do not form. Here, for a more accurate and efficient addressing discharge, the second potential V _S is maintained at the X electrode lines X ₁ , X _n , and the M electrode lines M ₁ , MX _n Is maintained at ground potential (V _G ).

In the subsequent display-hold time _S , the display of the second potential V _{S at} all the Y electrode lines Y ₁ , ... Y _n and the X electrode lines X ₁ , ... X _n . -Hold pulses are alternately applied, causing a discharge for display-holding in the display cells having a set wall voltage selected at the corresponding addressing time (A).

In this display-holding time S, the second potential V _S is applied to all the X electrode lines X ₁ , ... X _n and Y electrode lines Y ₁ , ... Y _n . state, but alternating the applied pulses, are applied to two weeks pulses auxiliary pulse of the same potential (V _s) is applied to each time the M electrode lines _{(M 1, ... MX n)} . Accordingly, since the intensity of the electric field and the amount of space charges are multiplied, the efficiency of display-holding discharge can be increased. In particular, M electrode lines (M _1, ... MX _n) and therefore correspond to the grooves are formed in the front dielectric layer 11, the auxiliary pulse applied to the M electrode lines (M _1, ... MX _n) Their influence may multiply.

Here, the width of each of the auxiliary pulses applied to the M electrode lines M ₁ , MX _n is equal to the X electrode lines X ₁ , X _n , and Y electrode lines Y ₁ ,. ... narrower than the width of each of the main pulses applied alternately to Y _n ). Also, the rising start time points of each of the main pulses and the auxiliary pulses are the same. In addition, the rising end points of each of the main pulses and the auxiliary pulses are the same.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example of signals applied to electrode lines of the plasma display panel 1 of FIG. 1 in the unit sub-field SF of FIG. 4. In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals as used in FIG. 5 denote objects of the same function, and the overall operation is as described in FIG. 5. Therefore, only the difference from the driving method of FIG. 5 will be described.

The discharge cells initially selected at the addressing time A and having the set wall voltage must wait until the discharge cells of the last scan line are addressed. As the state of the wall charges of the discharge cells initially selected at this waiting time is disturbed, the set wall voltage can be lowered. In this case, the display-holding of the first pulse of all Y electrode lines in the time _{(S) (Y 1, ...} Y n) is even in the display discharge cells that were initially selected in the addressing time (A) to-the sustain discharge This may not happen. In the case of discharge cells in which discharge does not occur as the first pulse at the display-hold time S, display-hold discharge does not occur even if pulses are alternately applied thereafter.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the potential (V _S + V _SCAN) of the first pulse among the auxiliary pulses applied to the M electrode lines (M ₁ , ... MX _n ) at the display-hold time (S). ) Is higher than the potential V _S of the other pulses. Accordingly, the phenomenon in which the display-maintenance discharge does not occur in the discharge cells selected at the beginning of the addressing time A can be prevented.

As described above, according to the discharge display panel according to the present invention, since grooves are formed in the dielectric layer, the average discharge distance between the X electrode lines and the Y electrode lines of each of the XY electrode line pairs is close and the discharge space is close. Widens Accordingly, since the discharge efficiency is high, the driving voltages to be applied between the electrode lines can be lowered. In addition, since M electrode lines are formed to correspond to the grooves, the discharge efficiency may be higher by applying an auxiliary potential to the M electrode lines.

According to the driving method of the discharge display panel according to the present invention, auxiliary pulses are applied to the M electrode lines whenever main pulses are applied in the display-hold time. Accordingly, since the intensity of the electric field and the amount of space charges are multiplied, the efficiency of the display-holding discharge can be higher.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may be modified and improved by those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

1 is an internal perspective view showing the structure of a four-electrode surface discharge plasma display panel as a discharge display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of one discharge cell of the panel of FIG.

3 is a diagram illustrating a driving device of the plasma display panel of FIG. 1.

4 is a timing diagram illustrating a driving scheme used by the driving apparatus of FIG. 3.

5 is a waveform diagram illustrating an example of signals applied to electrode lines of the plasma display panel of FIG. 1 in a unit sub-field of FIG. 4.

6 is a waveform diagram illustrating another example of signals applied to electrode lines of the plasma display panel of FIG. 1 in a unit sub-field of FIG. 4.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1 ... plasma display panel, 10 ... front glass substrate,

11, 15 dielectric layer, 12 protective layer,

13 ... back glass substrate, 14 ... discharge space,

16 fluorescent layers, 17 bulkheads,

M ₁ , ..., M _n ... M electrode lines, X ₁ , ..., X _n ... X electrode lines,

Y ₁ , ..., Y _n ... Y electrode lines, 62 ... logical control,

A _R1 , ..., A _Bm ... address electrode lines, 63 ... address drive,

X _na , M _na , Y _na ... transparent electrode lines, 64 ... X drive,

X _nb , M _nb , Y _nb ... metal electrode line, 65 ... M driver, 66 ... image processor, 67 ... Y driver, R, R1, ..., R8 ... reset cycle , SF1, ... SF8 ... sub-field,

S _M ... M drive-control signal, S _Y ... Y drive-control signal, S _X ... X drive-control signal, S _A ... address signal, V _G ... ground voltage.

Claims (8)

A front substrate and a rear substrate spaced apart from each other, and X and Y electrode lines are alternately and side-by-side formed between the substrates to establish XY electrode line pairs, and a dielectric layer covering the XY electrode line pairs is formed, A discharge display panel in which address electrode lines are formed to cross the X and Y electrode lines, and discharge cells are set as the crossing regions. And M electrode lines respectively formed between X electrode lines and Y electrode lines of each of the XY electrode line pairs, and grooves formed in the dielectric layer in parallel with the M electrode lines. A front substrate and a rear substrate spaced apart from each other, and X and Y electrode lines are alternately and side-by-side formed between the substrates to establish XY electrode line pairs, and a dielectric layer covering the XY electrode line pairs is formed, Address electrode lines are formed to intersect with respect to the X and Y electrode lines so that discharge cells are set as the crossing regions, and an M electrode line between X electrode lines and Y electrode lines of each of all the XY electrode line pairs. In the method of driving a discharge display panel each of which is formed, the grooves are formed in parallel to the M electrode lines in the dielectric layer, Alternately apply main pulses to the X electrode lines and the Y electrode lines so that discharge cells having a set wall voltage selected to cause display-maintaining discharge are applied to the M electrode lines each time the main pulses are applied. A method of driving a discharge display panel applying auxiliary pulses. The method of claim 2, And a width of each of the auxiliary pulses applied to the M electrode lines is smaller than a width of each of the main pulses alternately applied to the X electrode lines and the Y electrode lines. The method of claim 2, A method of driving a discharge display panel in which a gray level of each discharge cell is achieved as a unit frame is divided into a plurality of subfields and time-divided. The method of claim 4, wherein Each of the plurality of subfields, A reset time for uniformly setting the discharge conditions of the respective discharge cells, An addressing time for causing the selected discharge cells to have a set wall voltage, and And a display-hold time for causing the discharge cells having the set wall voltage to cause the display-hold discharge. The method of claim 4, wherein And a rising start time point of each of the main pulses and the auxiliary pulses. The method of claim 6, And a rising end point of each of the main pulses and the auxiliary pulses. The method of claim 4, wherein And a potential of the first pulse among the auxiliary pulses applied at the display-hold time is higher than that of other pulses.