KR100364398B1 - Plasma Display Panel and Driving Method Thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plasma display panel capable of improving the luminous efficiency and contrast and reducing the number of electrodes.

The plasma display panel of the present invention includes a scan / sustain electrode formed for each scan line, an address electrode formed in a direction intersecting the scan / sustain electrode, an n-th scan / sustain electrode, and n + A priming electrode is formed between the first scan / sustain electrodes and commonly used in two adjacent scan / sustain electrodes.

According to the present invention, the light emission efficiency can be improved by performing a sustain discharge having a large light emitting area between the scan / sustain electrode formed at the periphery of the discharge cell and the priming electrode line formed at the boundary of the discharge cell.

Description

Plasma Display Panel and Driving Method Thereof

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plasma display panel and a driving method thereof, and more particularly, to a plasma display panel and a driving method capable of improving the luminous efficiency and contrast and reducing the number of electrodes.

Plasma Display Panel (hereinafter referred to as "PDP") is a display device using visible light generated from a phosphor when ultraviolet light generated by gas discharge excites the phosphor. PDP is thinner and lighter than Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), which has been the mainstay of display means, and has the advantage of being able to realize high definition large screen. PDP is composed of a plurality of discharge cells arranged in a matrix form, one discharge cell constitutes a pixel of the screen.

1 is a perspective view showing a discharge cell structure of a conventional three-electrode AC surface discharge PDP.

Referring to FIG. 1, a discharge cell of a three-electrode alternating surface discharge type PDP is formed on a scan / sustain electrode 12Y and a common sustain electrode 12Z formed on an upper substrate 10, and a lower substrate 18. An address electrode 20X is provided. The upper dielectric layer 14 and the passivation layer 16 are stacked on the upper substrate 10 having the scan / sustain electrode 12Y and the common sustain electrode 12Z side by side. In the upper dielectric layer 14, wall charges generated during plasma discharge are accumulated. The protective layer 16 prevents damage to the upper dielectric layer 14 due to sputtering generated during plasma discharge and increases emission efficiency of secondary electrons. As the protective film 16, magnesium oxide (MgO) is usually used. The lower dielectric layer 22 and the partition wall 24 are formed on the lower substrate 18 on which the address electrode 20X is formed, and the phosphor 26 is coated on the surfaces of the lower dielectric layer 22 and the partition wall 24. The address electrode 20X is formed in the direction crossing the scan / sustain electrode 12Y and the common sustain electrode 12Z. The partition wall 24 is formed in parallel with the address electrode 20X to prevent ultraviolet rays and visible light generated by the discharge from leaking to the adjacent discharge cells. The phosphor 26 is excited by ultraviolet rays generated during plasma discharge to generate visible light of any one of red, green, and blue. Inert gas for gas discharge is injected into the discharge space provided between the upper and lower substrates 10 and 18 and the partition wall 24.

2 is a view showing a driving apparatus of a conventional three-electrode AC surface discharge type PDP.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the conventional three-electrode alternating current surface-discharge type PDP driving apparatus, m × n discharge cells 1 have scan / sustain electrode lines Y1 to Ym and common sustain electrode lines Z1 to Zm. ) And a PDP 30 arranged in a matrix so as to be connected to the address electrode lines X1 to Xn, a scan / sustain driver 32 for driving the scan / sustain electrode lines Y1 to Ym; Common sustain driver 34 for driving common sustain electrode lines Z1 to Zm, odd-numbered address electrode lines X1, X3, ..., Xn-3, Xn-1 and even-numbered address electrode lines First and second address drivers 36A and 36B for dividing and driving (X2, X4, ..., Xn-2, Xn) are provided. The scan / sustain driver 32 sequentially supplies scan pulses and sustain pulses to the scan / sustain electrode lines Y1 to Ym so that the discharge cells 1 are sequentially scanned in line units, and m × n The discharge in each of the four discharge cells 1 is continued. The common sustain driver 34 supplies a sustain pulse to all of the common sustain electrode lines Z1 to Zm. The first and second address drivers 36A and 36B supply image data to the address electrode lines X1 through Xn in synchronization with the scan pulse. The first address driver 36A supplies image data to the odd-numbered address electrode lines X1, X3, ..., Xn-3, Xn-1, and the second address driver 36B supplies the even-numbered address electrode lines ( Image data is supplied to X2, X4, ..., Xn-2, Xn).

The three-electrode AC surface discharge type PDP is driven by dividing one frame into several subfields having different discharge times in order to express gray levels of an image. Each subfield is further divided into a reset period for uniformly discharging the discharge, an address period for selecting the discharge cells, and a sustain period for expressing the gray scale according to the number of discharges. For example, when the image is to be displayed with 256 gray levels, the frame period (16.67 ms) corresponding to 1/60 second is divided into eight subfields SF1 to SF8 as shown in FIG. In addition, each of the eight subfields SF1 to SF8 is divided into an address period and a sustain period. Here, the reset period and the address period of each subfield are the same for each subfield, while the sustain period is 2 ⁿ (n = 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7) in each subfield. Is increased.

4 is a waveform diagram showing a driving waveform supplied to each electrode line of the PDP in each subfield in the conventional method of driving a three-electrode AC surface discharge type PDP.

Referring to FIG. 4, one subfield is divided into a reset period for initializing the entire screen, an address period for writing data while scanning the entire screen in a linear sequential manner, and a sustain period for maintaining the light emission state of the cells in which the data is written. Lose. First, during the reset period, the discharge cells are initialized, and discharge is generated between the scan / sustain electrode line (Y) and the common sustain electrode line (Z) by a discharge pulse supplied to the common sustain electrode line (Z) to assist the address discharge. Priming charged particles and wall charges are formed in the cells. In the address period, scan pulses (-Vs) are sequentially applied to the scan / sustain electrode lines (Y) of the PDP, and data pulses (Vd) are synchronized with the scan pulses (-Vs) to each address electrode line (X). Supplied to. At this time, a common level DC voltage is supplied to the common sustain electrode lines Z, and the DC voltage enables stable address discharge between the address electrode line X and the scan / sustain electrode line Y. . In the sustain period, a sustain pulse is supplied to the scan / sustain electrode line Y and the common sustain electrode line Z to emit light of the selected discharge cells in the address period.

However, the conventional PDP driven as described above has a problem in that luminous efficiency, that is, luminance is lowered because the scan / sustain electrode line Y and the common sustain electrode line Z are concentrated in the center of the discharge cell. In addition, the reset discharge occurring in the reset period decreases the contrast with light emission. In addition, since the scan / sustain electrode line Y and the common sustain electrode line Z are formed for each discharge cell, the cost is increased.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention relates to a plasma display panel and a method of driving the same, which can improve the luminous efficiency and contrast and reduce the number of electrodes.

1 is a perspective view showing a discharge cell structure of a conventional plasma display panel.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement of electrode lines and discharge cells of the plasma display panel shown in FIG. 1;

3 is a diagram illustrating gray levels of one frame in the plasma display panel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram illustrating driving waveforms supplied to respective electrode lines of a plasma display panel for each subfield in the driving method of the PDP shown in FIG. 1;

5 is a plan view showing an electrode structure of a plasma display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram illustrating a driving waveform supplied to the plasma display panel shown in FIG. 5.

7A to 7D are diagrams showing a sustain discharge sequence occurring in the sustain period shown in FIG.

8A to 8D are diagrams showing currents flowing through electrode lines by the sustain discharge of FIGS. 7A to 7D;

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

1,40: discharge cell 10: upper substrate

12Y: scan / sustain electrode 12Z: common sustain electrode

14,22 dielectric layer 16: protective film

18: lower substrate 20X: scanning / sustaining electrode

24: partition 26: phosphor layer

30: PDP 32: scan / sustain drive unit

34: common sustain driver 36A: first address driver

34B: second address driver 42: black matrix

In order to achieve the above object, the plasma display panel of the present invention includes a scan / sustain electrode formed for each scan line, an address electrode formed in a direction crossing the scan / sustain electrode, and n (where n is an odd number of 1 or more). And a priming electrode formed between the sustain electrode and the n + 1 th scan / sustain electrode and commonly used in two neighboring scan / sustain electrodes.

In addition, the driving method of the plasma display panel of the present invention includes applying a predetermined voltage to the priming electrode and the address electrode to cause a reset discharge.

Other objects and features of the present invention in addition to the above objects will become apparent from the description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8D.

5 is a diagram illustrating an electrode structure of a PDP according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the PDP of the present invention includes scan / sustain electrode lines Y1 to Ym and priming electrode lines P1 to Pm / 2 formed in a direction crossing the address electrode lines X1 to Xn. It is provided. Discharge cells 40 are formed at the intersections of the scan / sustain electrode lines Y1 to Ym and the address electrode lines X1 to Xn. The priming electrode lines P1 to Pm / 2 are formed at the boundary of the discharge cells 40, and the black matrix 42 is formed on the priming electrode lines P1 to Pm / 2. In addition, priming electrode lines P1 to Pm / 2 are formed between the n th scan / sustain electrode line and the n + 1 th scan / sustain electrode line. The scan / sustain electrode lines Y1 to Ym are formed at the periphery of the discharge cell to maintain a large distance from the priming electrode lines P1 to Pm / 2. In contrast to the conventional PDP, in the present invention, since the priming electrode lines P1 to Pm / 2 are formed between the discharge cells 40, the common sustain electrodes supplied with the sustain pulse, that is, the priming electrode lines P1. The number of to Pm / 2) can be reduced to 1/2.

FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram illustrating a driving waveform of the PDP of the present invention shown in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 6, the driving waveform of the PDP according to the present invention includes a reset period for initializing the entire screen, an address period for writing data while scanning the entire screen in a linear order manner, and a sustain for maintaining the light emission state of the cells in which the data is written. Divided into periods. First, in the reset period, the discharge cells are initialized, and discharge is generated between the scan / sustain electrode line Y and the priming electrode line P by the discharge pulse supplied to the priming electrode line P to assist the address discharge. Priming charged particles and wall charges are formed in the field 40. At this time, the fine light emission generated by the reset discharge is blocked by the black matrix 42 formed on the priming electrode line (P). Priming charged particles generated during the reset period are supplied to the discharge cells adjacent to the priming electrode line (P). In the address period, scan pulses (-Vs) are sequentially applied to each scan / sustain electrode line (Y) of the PDP, and data pulses (Vd) are supplied to each address electrode line (X) in synchronization with the scan pulses. In the sustain period, the sustain pulse SUSP is supplied to the scan / sustain electrode line Y and the priming electrode line P to emit light of the discharge cells selected in the address period. At this time, since the sustain discharge is generated between the scan / sustain electrode line (Y) and the priming electrode line (P), the sustain discharge may have a long discharge path.

When the sustain period is described in detail, first, the sustain pulse SUSP is supplied to the odd-numbered scan / sustain electrode lines Y1, Y3, ..., Ym-1. At this time, the DC voltage Vm having a level lower than the sustain pulse SUSP is supplied to the even-numbered scan / sustain electrode lines Y2, Y4, ..., Ym in order to prevent mis-discharge. Further, since the priming electrode line P is formed between each scan / sustain electrode line Y, the discharge occurs between the scan / sustain electrode line Y and the priming electrode line P having a short distance. That is, the DC voltage Vm supplied in order to prevent erroneous discharge can be omitted. When the sustain pulse SUSP is supplied to the odd-numbered scan / sustain electrode lines Y1, Y3, ..., Ym-1, the odd-numbered scan / sustain electrode line Y1 included in the discharge cells selected in the address period as shown in FIG. 7A. , Y3, ..., Ym-1) and sustain discharge generate | occur | produce between the priming electrode line P. FIG. At this time, the current flows from the radix scan / sustain electrode lines Y1, Y3, ..., Ym-1 to the priming electrode line P as shown in FIG. 8A. After a sustain discharge is generated between the odd-numbered scan / sustain electrode lines Y1, Y3,..., Ym-1 and the priming electrode line P, a sustain pulse SSUS is supplied to the priming electrode line P. When the sustain pulse is supplied to the priming electrode line P, a sustain discharge occurs between the priming electrode line P and the even-numbered scan / sustain electrode lines Y2, Y4, ..., Ym as shown in FIG. 7B. That is, since residual wall charges are formed in the odd-numbered scan / sustain electrode lines Y1, Y3, ..., Ym-1, the priming electrode line P and the even-numbered scan / sustain electrode line Y2, Sustain discharge occurs between Y4, ..., Ym). At this time, the current flows from the priming electrode line P to the even-numbered scan / sustain electrode lines Y2, Y4, ..., Ym as shown in FIG. 8B. After the sustain pulse is supplied to the priming electrode line P, the sustain pulse SSUS is supplied to the even-numbered scan / sustain electrode lines Y2, Y4, ..., Ym. At this time, a direct current voltage Vm is supplied to the odd-numbered scan / sustain electrode lines Y1, Y3,..., Ym-1 to prevent erroneous discharge. When the sustain pulse SSUS is supplied to the even-numbered scan / sustain electrode lines Y2, Y4,..., And Ym, the even-numbered scan / sustain electrode lines Y2, Y4 .., Ym and the priming electrode line as shown in FIG. 7C. Discharge occurs between P). At this time, the current flows from the even-numbered scan / sustain electrode lines Y2, Y4, ..., Ym to the priming electrode line P as shown in FIG. 8C. After the sustain pulse SSUS is supplied to the even-numbered scan / sustain electrode lines Y2, Y4, ..., Ym, the sustain pulse SSUS is supplied to the priming electrode line P. When the sustain pulse SSUS is supplied to the priming electrode line P, a discharge occurs between the priming electrode line P and the odd-numbered scan / sustain electrode lines Y1, Y3, ..., Ym-1 as shown in FIG. 7D. That is, since residual wall charges are formed in even-numbered scan / sustain electrode lines Y2, Y4, ..., Ym, the priming electrode line P and the odd-numbered scan / sustain electrode line Y1, Y3, ..., and sustain discharge occurs between Ym-1). At this time, the current flows from the priming electrode Ra inside P to the odd-numbered scan / sustain electrode lines Y1, Y3, ..., Ym-1 as shown in FIG. 8D.

Sustain discharge according to an embodiment of the present invention is the odd-numbered scan / sustain electrode line (Y1, Y3, ..., Ym-1), even-numbered scan / sustain electrode line (Y2, Y4, ..., Ym), even-numbered scan / It is generated in the order of the sustain electrode lines (Y2, Y4, ..., Ym) and the scan scan / sustain electrode lines (Y1, Y3, ..., Ym-1) in the order. Done. Also, in the sustain period, the current changes in flow every time sustain discharge is performed. That is, the current alternately flows between the scan / sustain electrode line Y and the priming electrode line P at each sustain discharge. Therefore, noise of the plasma display panel can be minimized.

As described above, according to the plasma display panel and the driving method thereof according to the present invention, the light emission efficiency is achieved by performing a sustain discharge having a large emission area between the scan / sustain electrode formed at the periphery of the discharge cell and the priming electrode line formed at the boundary of the discharge cell. Can improve. In addition, the contrast can be improved by blocking the fine light emission in which the reset discharge is generated by the black matrix. Further, the number of electrodes can be reduced to half of the scan / sustain electrode line by forming the priming electrode line used as the common sustain electrode line at the boundary of the discharge cell.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification but should be defined by the claims.

Claims (9)

A scan / sustain electrode formed for each scan line; An address electrode formed in a direction crossing the scan / sustain electrode; n (where n is an odd number of one or more) and a priming electrode formed between the n + 1 th scan / sustain electrodes and commonly used in two neighboring scan / sustain electrodes. Plasma display panel. The method of claim 1, And the priming electrode is formed at a boundary of the discharge cells. The method of claim 1, And a black matrix is formed on the priming electrode. The method of claim 2, And the scan / sustain electrode is formed at a periphery of the discharge cell to maintain a wide width with the priming electrode formed at the boundary of the discharge cell. A scan / sustain electrode formed for each scan line, an address electrode formed in a direction orthogonal to the scan / sustain electrode, and between n (n is an odd number of one or more) scan / sustain electrodes and n + 1 scan / sustain electrodes In the driving method of the plasma display panel having a priming electrode commonly used in two adjacent scan / sustain electrodes, respectively, And applying a predetermined voltage to the priming electrode and the address electrode to cause a reset discharge. The method of claim 5, Supplying a reset pulse having a predetermined level of voltage to the priming electrode in a reset period; And applying an anti-discharge prevention pulse having a voltage lower than the reset pulse to the address electrode in synchronization with the reset pulse. The method of claim 5, And a sustain pulse supplied alternately between the scan / sustain electrode and the priming electrode in a sustain period. The method of claim 7, wherein And the sustain pulses are supplied in order of the odd-numbered scan / sustain electrode, the priming electrode, the even-numbered scan / sustain electrode, and the priming electrode. The method of claim 8, Supplying a DC voltage having a voltage level lower than that of the sustain pulse to the even-numbered scan / sustain electrode when the sustain pulse is supplied to the odd-numbered scan / sustain electrode; And supplying a DC voltage having a voltage level lower than that of the sustain pulse to the odd-numbered scan / sustain electrode when the sustain pulse is supplied to the even-numbered scan / sustain electrode. Way.