JPH05216434A - Display device and its driving method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] The present invention relates to a display device called a flat display panel and a driving method thereof, and an object thereof is to provide a display device and a driving method thereof in which the number of driver circuits can be reduced. [Structure] The first electrodes 11 _{1 to} 11 n are vertically n-shaped.
Of the discharge cells arranged in a matrix in the horizontal direction and m discharge cells in the horizontal direction, m discharge cells in the horizontal direction are commonly arranged. The second electrodes 12 _{1 to} 12 n are the first electrodes 11 ₁ to
It is arranged parallel to 11n. Each of the address electrodes A _{1 to} Am is arranged commonly to n vertical discharge cells to perform selective erasing. First driver circuit 13 _{1 to} 13 _{n / N}
Drives the first electrodes 11 ₁ to 11 n in common every N lines. The second driver circuits 14 _{1 to} 14 _N are connected to the second electrode 1
2 _{1 to} 12n are commonly driven for every n / N lines, and N display regions are distributed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device and a driving method thereof, and more particularly to a display device called a flat display panel and a driving method thereof.

A display device called a flat display panel such as a surface discharge type plasma display panel is
When displaying m pixels on each of n scanning lines,
Since n scan drivers, m address drivers and one driver circuit are required, the number of driver circuits is large, and it is necessary to reduce the number of driver circuits as much as possible.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional display device. In the figure, m horizontally defined by the wall 1
And n rectangles are formed in the vertical direction.
The × n rectangles form the discharge cell 2, respectively. The Y-side common driver circuit 3 includes n Y-side scan driver circuits 4 ₁ to 4 4.
A drive signal is supplied in parallel to each of the n input terminals.

The Y-side scan driver circuit 4 ₁ is vertically upward 1
Discharge cells 2 arranged at the top and horizontally aligned in m
Is connected to _one electrode Y ₁ which is arranged in common.
Similarly, the Y-side scan drivers 4 _{2 to} 4 n are separately connected to the electrodes Y _{2 to} Yn commonly arranged in the discharge cells 2 arranged in m lines on the corresponding scan lines.

On the other hand, the X side driver circuit 5 is connected on the electrode X. The electrodes X are arranged commonly to the respective discharge cells 2 arranged in m lines on the n scanning lines. Further, the address electrode A ₁ is arranged in common to the n discharge cells 2 vertically aligned on the left end. Similarly, each of the address electrodes A _{2 to} Am is commonly arranged in each of the n discharge cells 2 aligned in the vertical direction. The address electrodes A _{1 to} Am are separately connected to m address driver circuits (not shown).

The conventional display device having such a structure is a surface discharge type display panel, and drive display is performed by the method schematically shown in FIG. That is, first, a drive signal is supplied from the Y-side common driver circuit 3 to all of the n electrodes Y _{1 to} Yn at the same time through the Y-side scan driver circuits 4 ₁ to 4 n, and at the same time, the X-side driver circuit 5 outputs a common signal. A drive signal is supplied to the electrode X. Thereby, the electrode Y ₁
~ Yn is discharged in the space between the common electrode X and m
All × n discharge cells 2 are lit by discharge at the same time. This is the collective writing period indicated by T ₁ in FIG.

Subsequently, an erasing signal is supplied from the Y-side scan driver circuit 4 ₁ to the electrode Y ₁ , and the address driver circuit (not shown) responds to the display data of the first line to the address electrodes A _{1 to} Am. Signal is supplied. As a result, only the discharge cells at the portions to be displayed by the display data of the first line continue discharging, and the discharge cells at the portions not to be displayed stop discharging and are turned off.

[0008] Hereinafter, the same manner as above Y side scan driver circuit 4 _2, 4 _3, ..., with forward erasure signal 4n is output, the address electrodes A _1-Am display data for each line in parallel Are sequentially switched and applied. This gives mx
Of the n discharge cells 2, only the part to be displayed according to the display data is turned on, and the other parts are turned off. This is the erase scanning period indicated by T ₂ in FIG.

Next, by utilizing the wall charges on the electrodes Y _{1 to} Yn of the discharge cell in which the discharge is continuing, the electrodes Y _{1 to} Yn,
Discharge is maintained by applying sustain pulses to the electrodes X, respectively. As a result, the lighting of the discharge cells to be lit is maintained. This is the sustain period indicated by T ₃ in FIG.

Thereafter, an erase signal is supplied to the electrodes Y _{1 to} Yn and the electrode X to stop the discharge of all m × n discharge cells 2. This is performed in the collective erasing period shown by T ₄ in FIG. 5, and the discharge cells of one screen are erased. The above periods T _{1 to} T ₄ are performed in one frame period, and the above operation is repeated for each frame period thereafter.

[0011]

However, in the above-described conventional device and driving method, in order to drive and control m × n discharge cells, an m-bit address driver circuit (not shown) and n Y-cells are provided. side scan driver circuit 4 ₁ to 4n, there is a problem that it is very expensive due to the one X driver circuit 5 as necessary.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points,
An object of the present invention is to provide a display device that can reduce the number of driver circuits and a driving method thereof.

[0013]

FIG. 1 shows a display according to the present invention.
The principle block diagram of an apparatus is shown. The present invention is shown in FIG.
Arrange in a matrix with n in the vertical direction and m in the horizontal direction
M of the discharged discharge cells arranged horizontally.
N first electrodes 11 commonly arranged in the electric cell
₁~ 11n and m discharge cells arranged horizontally
A second electrode common to and parallel to the first electrode.
Pole 12₁~ 12n and n discharges arranged vertically
A total of m address electrodes A commonly arranged in the cell₁
~ Am, the discharge cell is connected by the first and second electrodes.
Lights, keep lights on, scan and turn off lights selectively
And the position corresponding to the display data by the address electrode.
Display devices that turn off the discharge cells at positions other than
The first driver circuit 13 ₁~ 13_{n / N}And the second Dora
Eve circuit 14₁~ 14_NWith the configuration
It

Here, the first driver circuits 13 _{1 to} 13
_{n / N} is the total of n first electrodes 11 ₁ to 11 n
It is commonly driven for each book (where N is an integer of 2 or more).
Further, the second driver circuits 14 _{1 to} 14 _N commonly drive the second electrodes 12 ₁ to 12 n for every n / N lines.

Further, the driving method of the display device according to the present invention is a batch writing in which all the discharge cells of one screen arranged in a matrix in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in the number of m are simultaneously turned on, and a predetermined direction. Erase scan for sequentially extinguishing the discharge cells at positions other than the lighting position corresponding to the display data given by the address electrode by scanning the discharge sustain operation for continuing the lighting state of the discharge cells at the lighting position corresponding to the display data And a method for driving a display device for performing display by sequentially cyclically repeating batch erasing in which all discharge cells of one screen are turned off at the same time, the first electrodes 11 ₁ to ₁ 1
A driving signal from a _first driver circuit 13 _{1 to} 13 _{n / N} that commonly drives 1n for every N (where N is an integer of 2 or more), and _{n for} the second electrodes 12 _{1 to} 12n. / N, and the drive signals from the second driver circuits 14 _{1 to} 14 _N that are commonly driven, the batch write, erase scan,
In a series of display cycles consisting of the discharge sustaining operation and the batch erase, the N second driver circuits 14 _{1 to} 14 _N sequentially switch the drive signals to output _N signals within one frame period.
This is done in a time-division manner.

[0016]

In the device of the present invention, the second driver circuits 14 ₁ ...
The drive signals are sequentially output from 14 _N within one frame period, and the drive signals are sequentially supplied to the second electrodes 12 ₁ to 12 n every n / N lines. On the other hand, based on the signal from the common driver circuit 16 shown in FIG.
Each of 3 _{1 to} 13 _{n / N} is connected to the first electrode 11 ₁ to 11 n by N.
The book is driven in common.

Then, since the discharge cell is lit by the discharge generated in the space between the first electrode to which the drive signal is supplied and the second electrode to which the drive signal is supplied, the second cell is lit within one frame period. _N / N second electrodes connected to each of the driver circuits 14 _{1 to} 14 _N are arranged. Switching display is performed in units of n / N in the vertical direction and m in the horizontal direction. Then, the discharge cells on the entire screen are displayed in one frame period. Accordingly, the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, the first driver circuit _131-134
It can be composed of _{n / N} of n / N.

The second driver circuits 14 _{1 to} 14 _N
The n / N second electrodes in the vertical direction, which are commonly connected to, are shown in FIG. 1 when the entire screen is divided into N bands.
If the discharge cells are arranged in the respective divided regions indicated by ₁ to 15 _N , the divided regions 15 ₁ , 15 ₂ ,
..., 15 _N are displayed in this order.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the first driver circuits 13 _{1 to} 13 _N are connected in common to two vertically adjacent first electrodes 11 ₁ to 11 _n , respectively. Second driver circuit 1 with n / 2 driver circuits
4 _{1 to} 14 _N are vertically connected in common to n / 2 second electrodes to form a total of two driver circuits, and n are commonly connected to one of the two second driver circuits. / 2
The second electrodes of the book are odd-numbered electrodes in the vertical direction, and the n / 2 second electrodes commonly connected to the other second driver circuit are even-numbered electrodes in the vertical direction. In that case, odd-numbered discharge cells and even-numbered discharge cells in the vertical direction are alternately displayed.

In the display device driving method according to the present invention, a series of display cycles of batch writing, erase scanning, discharge sustaining operation and batch erasing are performed by the second driver circuits 14 _{1 to} 14 _N within one frame period. Since the drive signals are sequentially output in a switching manner so as to be performed N times in a time-sharing manner,
The first driver circuits 13 _{1 to} 13 _{n / N} can be configured by n / N pieces.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the device of the present invention. This embodiment is a surface discharge type plasma display panel in which 480 (= n) vertical discharge cells and m horizontal discharge cells are arranged in a matrix and N is set to "2".

That is, the surface discharge type plasma display panel has a structure in which two glass substrates are opposed to each other so as to have a discharge space, and a predetermined gas is sealed in the discharge space. An electrode Y ₁ to Y ₄₈₀ to one of the two glass substrates of the above shown in FIG. 2 as the first electrode 11 ₁ ~11n, the second electrodes 12 ₁ in parallel thereto
Electrodes X ₁ to X ₄₈₀ is respectively formed as 12n, they are dielectric layer on each electrode covering, grid-shaped ribs are formed for discharge diffusion preventing thereon.

On the other of the two glass substrates,
Address electrodes A _{1 to} Am for selective erasing are formed in directions orthogonal to the electrodes Y _{1 to} Y ₄₈₀ and X _{1 to} X ₄₈₀ , respectively, and a phosphor and a separator for maintaining a discharge gap are formed. .. The above electrodes X _{1 to} X ₄₈₀ and Y ₁ to
Y _480's are interleaved as shown in FIG.

Further, in part of the grid defined by the lattice-shaped rib, said electrode _{X 1 ~X 48 0, Y 1} ~Y 480,
One of the address electrodes A _{1 to} Am is arranged to form one discharge cell. Therefore, in FIG. 2, m discharge cells in the horizontal direction and 480 discharge cells in the vertical direction are formed in a matrix. The display part 21 is formed from these.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control circuit 22,
Y-side common driver circuit 23, Y-side scan driver circuit 24
_{1 to} 24 ₂₄₀ , X side driver circuits 25 ₁ and 25 _2, and an address driver circuit 26 are provided. Control circuit 2
2 controls the operation of the entire surface discharge type plasma display panel. Y-side scan driver circuit 24 _{1 to} 24 _{24 0}
Corresponds to the above-mentioned first driver circuits 13 _{1 to} 13 _{n / N} , and the Y-side driver circuit 24 ₁ includes two electrodes Y ₁ and Y _241.
Commonly connected to. Similarly, the i-th (however, i =
Y side scanning driver circuit 24 _i of the 240th) are commonly connected to the electrode Y _i and Y _{i + 24 0} two.

X side driver circuit 25₁Has 240 electrodes
X₁~ X₂₄₀Is commonly connected to the X side driver circuit 25.₂
Is 240 electrodes X₂₄₁~ X₄₈₀Commonly connected to
It These X side driver circuits 25₁And 25₂Is the above
2 driver circuit 14₁~ 14 _NEquivalent to. In addition,
The dress driver circuit 26 has an address electrode A.₁~ Am to husband
Connected to each other.

[0027] Thus, the display area of the display unit 21 display area 27 ₁ which is selected by the X driver circuit 25 ₁
The display area 27 ₂ selected by the X-side driver circuit 25 ₂ is divided into two bands.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the method of the present invention.
You An embodiment of the method of the present invention will be described with reference to the apparatus of FIG.
I will explain together. First, in FIG.₁Indicated by,
Display area 27₁Batch writing to each discharge cell of
Be done. At the time of this batch writing, the control circuit in FIG.
X side driver circuit 25 based on the output control signal of 22 ₁
At the same time that the drive signal is sent from the Y side common driver
Through the circuit 23, the Y-side scan driver circuit 24₁~ 24
₂₄₀Drive signal is transmitted from the.

As a result, the gas between the electrodes X _{1 to} X ₂₄₀ and the electrodes Y ₁ to Y ₂₄₀ adjacent thereto is ionized and discharged, and a discharge current flows to charge the dielectric surface covering both electrodes. Then, wall charges are formed on the surface of the dielectric. As a result, each discharge cell in the display area 27 ₁ lights up.

Subsequently, a period shown by Ta ₂ in FIG.
Erase scanning is performed. This erase scan is sequentially performed line by line by the Y side scan driver circuits 24 _{1 to} 24 ₂₄₀ and the address driver circuit 26. That is, first, a signal is supplied from the Y side scanning driver circuit 24 ₁ to the electrodes Y ₁ and Y ₂₄₁ , and at the same time, the address driver circuit 26 selects _{one of the} address electrodes A _{1 to} Am based on the display data of the first line. A signal is supplied to the address electrode.

As a result, the selected electrode Y₁, Y₂₄₁
And the discharge cell at the intersection with the selected address electrode is
The discharge is continued in the sustain pulse after the load is set to a low value.
It is turned off and turned off. Then, in the same way as above
The Y-side scan driver circuit 24 ₂, 24₃, ..., 24
₂₄₀The signals are output sequentially in the order of
The second line, the third line, ..., 240 from the IVA circuit 26
Signal to address electrode based on display data of line
Is sent out and the lights are turned off sequentially.

In the erase operation, the address electrode is selected.
What is done, electrode Y₁~ Y_{48 0}Is selected
In addition, the write operation must be performed before the erase operation.
That the wall charge is formed in the discharge cell.
Since it is performed under the condition₁Batch document
Display area 27 in which writing is performed during the writing period ₁
Of FIG. 3A only for each discharge cell of₂Indicated by
Erase scanning is performed during the period.

However, since no writing has been performed immediately before to each discharge cell in the display area 27 ₂ , FIG.
Erase scanning is not performed during the same period as Ta ₂ shown by Ta ₂ 'in FIG. That is, the display areas 27 ₁ and 27 ₂ for the erase operation in the erase scanning period are distributed depending on the presence or absence of the above conditions. As a result, when the above periods Ta ₂ and Ta ₂ ′ have passed, the display area 27 ₁
The discharge cells that should be extinguished are extinguished based on the display data for 240 lines only, and the image of the display data is displayed by the remaining lit discharge cells.

Subsequently, the Y-side scan driver circuit 24₁~ 2
Four₂₄₀And X side driver circuit 25₁Sustain pulse from
It will be output at twice the frequency of the conventional frequency. This makes the display area
27 ₁Only the lighting discharge cells in the
The image is displayed with the same brightness as. T in FIG. 3 (A)
a₃Is the display area 27 by this sustain pulse₁Sustain discharge
The period (sustain period) is shown.

Thereafter, collective erasing is performed for a period shown by Ta ₄ in FIG. This batch erase is performed by the Y side scan driver circuits 24 _{1 to} 24 ₂₄₀ and the X side driver circuit 25 _1.
X is performed by outputting an erase pulse from
Electrodes X _{1 to} X connected to the side driver circuit 25 _1.
The discharge of all the discharge cells in the display area 27 ₁ in which ₂₄₀ is arranged is stopped, and as a result, all the discharge cells in the display area 27 ₁ are extinguished.

By this collective erasing period Ta ₄ , wall charges are prevented from remaining in all the discharge cells in the display area 27 ₁ , so that the same operation margin as in the conventional case can be secured.

Next, during the period indicated by Tb ₁ in FIG. 3B, the drive signal is transmitted from the X side driver circuit 25 ₂ and at the same time the drive signal is transmitted from the Y side scan driver circuits 24 _{1 to} 24 ₂₄₀ . Display area 2 in which electrodes X _{241 to} X ₄₈₀ commonly connected to the X-side driver circuit 25 ₂ are provided
The discharge cells in 7 ₂ are discharged all at once, and wall charges are formed on the surface of the dielectric material and the cells are turned on. Therefore, FIG.
In the period indicated by Tb ₁ in (B), all the discharge cells in the display area 27 ₂ are collectively written.

Then, as shown in FIG.₂Erased for
The last scan is performed. This period Tb ₂Then the Y-side scanning driver
Eve circuit 24₁~ 24₂₄₀The electrode is Y₂₄₁，
Y₂₄₂, Y ₂₄₃, ... Y₄₈₀Is selected in order of
And address electrode A₁~ Am is the display data for each line
Selected in accordance with the batch writing period Tb₁The wall charge is shaped by
Display area 27₂Erase for each discharge cell of
The scan is performed.

In Tb ₂ ′ shown in FIG. 3A corresponding to this period Tb ₂ , the electrode Y of each discharge cell in the display area 27 ₁ is displayed.
_Although the selection of _{1 to} Y ₂₄₀ and the address electrodes A _{1 to} Am is performed, the erase scanning is not performed because the above conditions are not satisfied. In this way, the periods Tb ₂ and Tb
_{After 2} ', the image based on the display data of 240 lines from line 241 to line 480 is displayed only in the display area 27 ₂ . Subsequently, in the sustain period indicated by Tb ₃ in FIG. 3B, the Y-side scan driver circuits 24 ₁ to
The sustain pulse is output from 24 ₂₄₀ and the X-side driver circuit 25 _2, so that the discharge state is maintained only in the lighting discharge cells in the display area 27 ₂ . At this time, since the sustain pulse is output at twice the frequency of the conventional one, the same brightness as the conventional one can be secured.

Thereafter, during the period indicated by Tb ₄ in FIG. 3B, the erase operation is performed on each discharge cell in the display area 27 ₂ to erase the wall charges. Then again
In the period indicated by Ta ₅ in (A), collective writing is performed on each discharge cell in the display area 27 ₁ , and thereafter, the same operation as described above is repeated.

The period from the beginning of the period Ta ₁ to the end of the period Tb ₄ is one frame period. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the display areas 27 ₁ and 2 are displayed every 1/2 frame period.
7 ₂ becomes a possible image alternately displayed is performed, the display area switching is not a human visual problem since the period that is short.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to display an image with the Y-side scanning driver circuits 24 _{1 to} 24 _240, which are half the number of the conventional ones, without damaging the brightness and the operation margin.
In this embodiment, the number of X-side drivers is increased by one circuit as shown by 25 ₁ and 25 ₂ , but the cost of the X-side driver circuit as a whole is different from the conventional one in consideration of the power reduction by dividing the display area. Almost unchanged.

The present invention is limited to the above embodiment.
However, various other modifications are possible. example
For example, in FIG. 2, the X side driver circuit 25₁And 25₂
2 X-side driver circuits are provided instead of
The X side driver circuit has an odd electrode X₁, X₃,,, X
₄₇₉, And the other X-side driver circuit is an even-numbered
Electrode X₂, X_Four,,, X₄₈₀Commonly connected to the Y side
Scan driver circuit 24 ₁~ 24₂₄₀Are the tops in Figure 2, respectively
Common connection with two adjacent Y electrodes in the downward direction.
With the driving method similar to that shown in FIG.
Images can be displayed by scanning.

The present invention can also be applied to flat display devices other than the surface discharge type plasma display panel.

[0045]

As described above, according to the device of the present invention, the first driver circuit, which has conventionally required the same number of circuits as the number of discharge cells in the vertical direction (the number of lines), is provided as one first driver circuit. The number of electrodes commonly connected to
> N), the number can be reduced to 1 / N times, so that the configuration can be made significantly cheaper than the conventional one. Further, according to the method of the present invention, in the display device in which the number of the first driver circuits is reduced to n / N, the images are switched and displayed in the N display areas while maintaining the same brightness and operating margin as the conventional one. It has features such as being able to do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an example of a conventional device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional method.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 _{1 to} 11 n, Y _{1 to} Y ₄₈₀ 1st electrode 12 _{1 to} 12 n, X _{1 to} X ₄₈₀ 2nd electrode 13 _{1 to} 13 _{n / N} 1st driver circuit 14 _{1 to} 14 _N 2nd driver circuit 15 ₁ to 15 _N division area 16 common driver circuit 21 display section 24 _{1 to} 24 ₂₄₀ Y side scanning driver circuit 25 ₁ , 25 ₂ X side driver circuit 26 address driver circuit 27 ₁ , 27 ₂ display area A _{1 to} Am address electrode

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Out of a total of n discharge cells arranged vertically in the vertical direction and m discharge cells arranged in the horizontal direction in a matrix, a total of n discharge cells arranged in common in the m discharge cells arranged in the horizontal direction. A first electrode (11 _{1 to} 11 n) and a second electrode (12 _{1 to} 12 n) arranged in common to the m discharge cells arranged in the horizontal direction and parallel to the _first electrode (11 _{1 to} 12 n). ) And a total of m address electrodes (A _{1 to} Am) arranged in common to the n discharge cells arranged in the vertical direction, and the discharge cells are formed by the first and second electrodes. In a display device in which lighting, maintenance of lighting, scanning, and extinction are selectively performed, and discharge cells at positions other than positions corresponding to display data are extinguished by the address electrodes, a total of n of the first electrodes (11 ₁ ~11n) N present (where, N is the integer of 2 or more) each to Total n / N-number of first driver circuit for driving the passage (13 ₁ to 13 _{n /} N)
And a total of N second driver circuits (14 ₁ to 14 ₁ to 12n) that commonly drive the second electrodes (12 _{1 to} 12n) for every n / N lines.
14 _N ), and a display device is configured to sequentially output drive signals from the second driver circuits (14 _{1 to} 14 _N ) within one frame period for display. 2. The second driver circuit (14 _{1 to} 14)
The second electrode of the n / N present in the vertical direction are connected in common to the _N) is disposed in the discharge cells in each divided region (15 ₁ to 15 _N) within the time that N divides the entire one screen to the strip The display device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The first driver circuit (13 _{1 to} 13)
_{n / N} ) is a total of n / 2 driver circuits commonly connected to the two first electrodes (11 _{1 to} 11 _n ) that are vertically adjacent to each other, and the second driver circuit (n 14
_{1 to} 14 _N ) are a total of two driver circuits, each of which is commonly connected to n / 2 second electrodes in the vertical direction.
N / 2 second electrodes commonly connected to one of the second driver circuits are odd-numbered electrodes in the vertical direction, and n / 2 commonly connected to the other second driver circuit. Two
The display device according to claim 1, wherein the second electrode of the book is an even-numbered electrode in the vertical direction. 4. A batch write in which all the discharge cells of one screen, which are arranged in a matrix in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction, are all turned on at the same time, and display data provided from address electrodes by scanning in a predetermined direction. The erase scan for sequentially extinguishing the discharge cells at positions other than the corresponding lighting position, the discharge sustaining operation for continuing the lighting state of the discharge cells for the corresponding display data, and the discharge cells for one screen are all extinguished simultaneously. In a driving method of a display device for performing a display by sequentially and cyclically repeating the batch erasing, the discharge cells of one screen are arranged in a horizontal direction.
A first driver circuit for commonly driving a total of n first electrodes (11 _{1 to} 11 n) commonly connected to a plurality of discharge cells for every N (where N is an integer of 2 or more) (13 ₁
˜13 _{n / N} ) and a driving signal commonly connected to the m discharge cells arranged in the horizontal direction and arranged in parallel with the _first electrodes (11 _{1 to} 11 n). A second driver circuit (14 ₁ to ₁ ) for commonly driving the two electrodes (12 _{1 to} 12 n) for every n / N lines.
4 _N ), a series of display cycles consisting of the batch writing, the erase scanning, the discharge sustaining operation, and the batch erasing are performed by the N second driver circuits (14) in total.
_{1 to} 14 _N ), the driving signals are sequentially output in a switching manner, and the driving is performed N times in one frame period in a time-division manner.