KR20100119206A - Plasma display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A plasma display apparatus is provided to stabilize a sustain discharge by applying different type sustain signal to an electrode. CONSTITUTION: A plasma display panel comprises a scan electrode and a sustain electrode. A driving unit supplies a main sustain signal and an assistant sustain signal. The main sustain signal includes a first rising time, a second sustain period, and a first falling period. The assistant sustain signal includes the second rising time and a second falling time.

Description

Plasma Display Apparatus {Plasma Display Apparatus}

The present invention relates to a plasma display device.

The plasma display apparatus includes a plasma display panel.

The plasma display panel includes a phosphor layer formed in a discharge cell divided by a partition wall, and also includes a plurality of electrodes.

When the drive signal is supplied to the electrode of the plasma display panel, the discharge is generated by the drive signal supplied in the discharge cell. Here, when discharged by a drive signal in the discharge cell, the discharge gas filled in the discharge cell generates vacuum ultraviolet rays, and the vacuum ultraviolet light emits the phosphor formed in the discharge cell to emit visible light. Generate. The visible light displays an image on the screen of the plasma display panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a plasma display apparatus for supplying different types of sustain signals to electrodes in sub-field address periods.

A plasma display apparatus according to the present invention includes a plasma display panel including a scan electrode and a sustain electrode, and a main body of at least one of the scan electrode and the sustain electrode in a sustain period of at least one subfield among a plurality of subfields. And a driver for supplying a sustain sustain signal and a supplementary sustain signal having a smaller voltage than the main sustain signal, wherein the main sustain signal includes a first rising period and a maximum voltage at which the voltage gradually rises. The first sustain period and the first falling period in which the voltage gradually falls, the auxiliary sustain signal is continuous with the second rising period and the second rising period in which the voltage gradually rises, and the voltage gradually falls. It may include a second falling period.

In addition, the pulse width of the auxiliary sustain signal may be smaller than the pulse width of the main sustain signal.

In addition, the length of the second rising period may be the same as the length of the first rising period.

In addition, the length of the second falling period may be the same as the length of the first falling period.

In addition, the rate of change of voltage in the second rise period may be the same as the rate of change of voltage in the first rise period.

In addition, the voltage change rate of the second falling period may be the same as the voltage change rate of the first falling period.

In addition, the voltage of the main sustain signal gradually increases from the voltage of the ground level GND to the first voltage V1 in the first rising period, and the second voltage (higher than the first voltage V1 in the first sustain period). V2) is maintained and gradually falls from the second voltage V2 to the third voltage V3 higher than the voltage of the ground level GND in the first falling period, and the auxiliary sustain signal is ground level in the second rising period. A fifth voltage gradually rising from the voltage of GND to the fourth voltage V4 lower than the second voltage V2 and higher than the voltage of the fourth voltage V4 to the ground level GND in the second falling period. It can descend gradually to (V5).

In addition, the fourth voltage V4 may be equal to the first voltage V1.

In addition, the fifth voltage V5 may be lower than the third voltage V3.

In addition, the auxiliary sustain signal may have a maximum voltage at a point in time between the second rising period and the second falling period.

In addition, one main sustain signal and one auxiliary sustain signal form one pair of signals, and the signal pair may be supplied to at least one of a scan electrode and a sustain electrode.

In addition, the interval between the main sustain signal and the auxiliary sustain signal in one signal pair may be smaller than the pulse width of the auxiliary sustain signal.

In addition, the main sustain signal supplied to any one of the scan electrode and the sustain electrode may overlap the auxiliary sustain signal supplied to the other.

In addition, the auxiliary sustain signal may be supplied first in the sustain period.

In addition, the auxiliary sustain signal can be supplied last in the sustain period.

Also, the length of the second falling period may be longer than the length of the second rising period.

In addition, the magnitude of the voltage of the auxiliary sustain signal may be smaller than and greater than 0.5 times the magnitude of the voltage of the main sustain signal.

In addition, another plasma display apparatus according to the present invention includes a main sustain signal in a sustain period of at least one subfield among a plasma display panel including a scan electrode and a sustain electrode and a plurality of subfields. And alternately supply pairs of the signals including a supplementary sustain signal having a smaller magnitude and width than the main sustain signal and having the same polarity as the main sustain signal to the scan electrode and the sustain electrode. It may include a driving unit.

In addition, another plasma display device according to the present invention includes a plasma display panel including an electrode and a driver for supplying a supplementary sustain signal to the electrode in the sustain period of the sub-field. The sustain signal includes a rising period in which the voltage rises, a falling period in which the voltage is gradually decreased, and the driving unit includes a capacitor, an inductor disposed between the capacitor and the electrode, A first switch and a second switch disposed in parallel between the capacitors and a third switch disposed between the electrode and the ground, wherein the first switch is turned on in the rising period and the second switch is One switch may be turned on before being turned off.

It is also possible for the auxiliary sustain signal to have a maximum voltage before the second switch is turned on.

Another plasma display device according to the present invention includes a plasma display panel including an electrode and a driver for supplying a supplementary sustain signal to the electrode in a sustain period of a subfield. Includes a rising period in which the voltage rises, a falling period in which the voltage is gradually decreased, and the driving unit includes a capacitor, an inductor disposed between the capacitor and the electrode, and a distance between the inductor and the capacitor. The first switch and the second switch and a third switch disposed between the electrode and the ground disposed in parallel, the turn-off (Turn-Off) of the first switch is turned on (Turn-) of the second switch It is faster than the On time point, and the electrode may be floated between the turn-off time point of the first switch and the turn-on time point of the second switch.

The plasma display apparatus according to the present invention can stabilize the sustain discharge by supplying different types of sustain signals to the electrodes in the address period of the sub-field, and furthermore, the amount of light generated in the sustain period is reduced. There is an effect that can increase the brightness of the image by increasing.

Hereinafter, a plasma display device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a plasma display device.

Referring to FIG. 1, the plasma display apparatus may include a plasma display panel 100 and a driver 110.

The plasma display panel 100 may include scan electrodes Y1 to Yn and sustain electrodes Z1 to Zn that are parallel to each other, and may include address electrodes X1 to Xm that cross the scan electrode and the sustain electrode. In addition, the plasma display panel 100 may implement an image in a frame including a plurality of subfields.

The driver 110 may supply a driving signal to at least one of a scan electrode, a sustain electrode, and an address electrode of the plasma display panel 100 to implement an image on the screen of the plasma display panel 100.

Preferably, the driving unit 110 may include a main sustain signal in at least one of the scan electrode Y and the sustain electrode Z in the sustain period of at least one subfield of the plurality of subfields. ) And a supplementary sustain signal. Here, the magnitude of the voltage of the auxiliary sustain signal may be smaller than the magnitude of the voltage of the main sustain signal.

Here, in FIG. 1, only the case in which the driving unit 110 is formed in one board form is illustrated, but in the present invention, the driving unit 110 is divided into a plurality of board forms according to electrodes formed on the plasma display panel 100. It is also possible to lose. For example, the driver 110 may include a first driver (not shown) for driving the scan electrode of the plasma display panel 100, a second driver for driving the sustain electrode, and a third driver (not shown) for driving the address electrode. Can be divided into

2 is a diagram for explaining the structure of a plasma display panel.

Referring to FIG. 2, the plasma display panel 100 includes a front substrate 201 in which scan electrodes 202 and Y and sustain electrodes 203 and Z are parallel to each other, and scan electrodes 202 and Y and a sustain electrode ( The back substrate 211 on which the address electrodes 213 and X intersect with 203 and Z may be formed.

On the front substrate 201 where the scan electrodes 202 and Y and the sustain electrodes 203 and Z are formed, the discharge currents of the scan electrodes 202 and Y and the sustain electrodes 203 and Z are limited and the scan electrodes 202 and Y are restricted. ) And an upper dielectric layer 204 may be arranged to insulate between the sustain electrodes 203 and Z.

A protective layer 205 may be formed on the front substrate 201 where the upper dielectric layer 204 is formed to facilitate discharge conditions. The protective layer 205 may include a material having a high secondary electron emission coefficient, such as magnesium oxide (MgO) material.

The address electrodes 213 and X are formed on the rear substrate 211, and the address electrodes 213 and X are covered on the upper side of the rear substrate 211 on which the address electrodes 213 and X are formed. A lower dielectric layer 215 may be formed that insulates X).

On top of the lower dielectric layer 215, a partition space 212, such as a stripe type, a well type, a delta type, a honeycomb type, etc., is formed on the discharge space, that is, to partition the discharge cells. Can be. Accordingly, the first discharge cell emitting red (R) light, the second discharge cell emitting blue (B) light, and the green (Green) light between the front substrate 201 and the rear substrate 211. : G) A third discharge cell or the like that emits light can be formed.

The partition 212 may include a first partition 212b and a second partition 212a, and a height of the first partition 212b and a height of the second partition 212a may be different from each other.

In the discharge cell, the address electrode 213 may cross the scan electrode 202 and the sustain electrode 203. That is, the discharge cell is formed at the point where the address electrode 213 crosses the scan electrode 202 and the sustain electrode 203.

A predetermined discharge gas may be filled in the discharge cell partitioned by the partition wall 212.

In addition, a phosphor layer 214 that emits visible light for image display may be formed in the discharge cells partitioned by the partition wall 212. For example, a first phosphor layer that generates red light, a second phosphor layer that generates blue light, and a third phosphor layer that generates green light may be formed.

In addition, the address electrode 213 formed on the rear substrate 211 may have substantially the same width or thickness, but the width or thickness inside the discharge cell may be different from the width or thickness outside the discharge cell. . For example, the width or thickness inside the discharge cell may be wider or thicker than that outside the discharge cell.

When a predetermined signal is supplied to at least one of the scan electrode 202, the sustain electrode 203, and the address electrode 213, discharge may occur in the discharge cell. As such, when the discharge is generated in the discharge cell, ultraviolet rays may be generated by the discharge gas filled in the discharge cell, and the ultraviolet rays may be irradiated to the phosphor particles of the phosphor layer 214. Then, a predetermined image may be displayed on the screen of the plasma display panel 100 by the phosphor particles irradiated with ultraviolet rays to emit visible light.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing an image frame for implementing gradation of an image.

Referring to FIG. 3, a frame for implementing gray levels of an image may include a plurality of subfields SF1 to SF8.

In addition, the plurality of subfields may include a sustain period for implementing gradation according to an address period and a number of discharges for selecting discharge cells in which discharge cells will not occur or discharge cells in which discharge occurs. Period) may be included.

For example, in case of displaying an image with 256 gray levels, for example, one frame is divided into eight subfields SF1 to SF8 as shown in FIG. 3, and each of the eight subfields SF1 to SF8 is an address. It can include a period and a sustain period.

Alternatively, at least one subfield of the plurality of subfields of the frame may further include a reset period for initialization.

In addition, at least one subfield of the plurality of subfields of the frame may not include a sustain period.

Meanwhile, the weight of the corresponding subfield may be set by adjusting the number of sustain signals supplied in the sustain period. That is, a predetermined weight can be given to each subfield by using the sustain period. For example, the weight of each subfield is 2 ⁿ by setting the weight of the first subfield to 2 ⁰ and the weight of the second subfield to 2 ¹ (where n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) can be set to increase the ratio. As described above, gray levels of various images may be realized by adjusting the number of sustain signals supplied in the sustain period of each subfield according to the weight in each subfield.

In FIG. 3, only one image frame is composed of eight subfields. However, the number of subfields constituting one image frame may be variously changed. For example, one video frame may be configured with 12 subfields from the first subfield to the twelfth subfield, or one video frame may be configured with 10 subfields.

In addition, in FIG. 3, subfields are arranged in an order of increasing weight in one image frame. Alternatively, subfields may be arranged in an order of decreasing weight in one image frame. Subfields may be arranged regardless.

At least one of the plurality of subfields included in the frame may be a selective erase subfield (SE), and at least one of the plurality of subfields may be a selective write subfield (SW). Do.

If one frame includes at least one selective erase subfield and an optional write subfield, the first subfield or the first and second subfields of the plurality of subfields of the frame are the selective write subfields, It may be desirable for the remainder to be selective erasure subfields.

Here, the selective erasing subfield is a subfield that turns off the discharge cells supplied with the data signal Data to the address electrodes in the address period in the sustain period after the address period.

The selective erasure subfield may include an address period for selecting a discharge cell to be turned off and a sustain period for generating sustain discharge in discharge cells not selected in the address period.

The selective write subfield is a subfield that turns on the discharge cells supplied with the data signal Data to the address electrodes in the address period in the sustain period after the address period.

The selective write subfield may include a reset period for initializing the discharge cells, an address period for selecting the discharge cells to be turned on, and a sustain period for generating sustain discharge in the discharge cells selected in the address period.

4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a method of driving a plasma display panel. The driving waveform to be described below is supplied by the driving unit 110 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the reset period RP for initializing at least one subfield among a plurality of subfields of a frame, the reset signal RS is applied to the scan electrode Y. Can supply Here, the reset signal RS may include an rising ramp signal Ramp-Up (RU) for gradually increasing the voltage and a falling ramp signal Ramp-Down (RD) for gradually decreasing the voltage.

For example, the rising ramp signal RU may be supplied to the scan electrode in the setup period SU of the reset period, and the falling ramp signal RD may be supplied to the scan electrode in the setdown period SD after the setup period. .

When the rising ramp signal is supplied to the scan electrode, a weak dark discharge, that is, setup discharge, occurs in the discharge cell by the rising ramp signal. By this setup discharge, the distribution of wall charges can be uniform in the discharge cells.

After the rising ramp signal is supplied, when the falling ramp signal is supplied to the scan electrode, a weak erase discharge, that is, a setdown discharge, occurs in the discharge cell. By this set-down discharge, wall charges such that address discharge can be stably generated can be uniformly retained in the discharge cells.

In the address period AP after the reset period, the scan reference signal Ybias having a voltage higher than the lowest voltage of the falling ramp signal may be supplied to the scan electrode.

In addition, in the address period, the scan signal Sc that falls from the voltage of the scan reference signal Ybias may be supplied to the scan electrode.

Meanwhile, the pulse width of the scan signal supplied to the scan electrode in the address period of at least one subfield may be different from the pulse width of the scan signal of another subfield. For example, the width of the scan signal in the subfield located later in time may be smaller than the width of the scan signal in the preceding subfield. In addition, the reduction of the scan signal width according to the arrangement order of the subfields can be made gradually, such as 2.6 Hz (microseconds), 2.3 Hz, 2.1 Hz, 1.9 Hz, or 2.6 Hz, 2.3 Hz, 2.3 Hz, 2.1 Hz. .... 1.9 ㎲, 1.9 ㎲ and so on.

As such, when the scan signal is supplied to the scan electrode, the data signal Dt may be supplied to the address electrode X corresponding to the scan signal.

When the scan signal and the data signal are supplied, an address discharge may be generated in the discharge cell to which the data signal is supplied while the voltage difference between the scan signal and the data signal and the wall voltage generated by the wall charges generated in the reset period are added. .

In addition, the sustain reference signal Zbias signal may be supplied to the sustain electrode in the address period in which the address discharge occurs so that the address discharge is effectively generated between the scan electrode and the address electrode.

In the sustain period SP after the address period, at least one of the scan electrode and the sustain electrode has an auxiliary sustain signal having a smaller voltage than the main sustain signal (M-SUS) and the main sustain signal (M-SUS). Supplementary Sustain signal (S-SUS) can be supplied.

When the main sustain signal M-SUS and the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS are supplied, the discharge cells selected by the address discharge are the wall voltage and the main sustain signal M-SUS and the auxiliary sustain signal S in the discharge cells. As the voltage of -SUS is added, a sustain discharge, that is, a display discharge may be generated between the scan electrode and the sustain electrode.

In this way, an image can be realized.

5 is a diagram for explaining the main sustain signal and the auxiliary sustain signal in more detail.

Referring to FIG. 5, the main sustain signal M-SUS according to the present invention maintains the first rising period d1 and the maximum voltage, that is, the second voltage V2, in which the voltage gradually rises as shown in (b). It may include a first sustain period d2 and a first falling period d3 in which the voltage gradually falls.

Here, in the first rising period d1, the voltage of the main sustain signal M-SUS may gradually increase from the voltage of the ground level GND to the first voltage V1. Although not shown, the rising period d1 is a period during which the energy recovery circuit supplies the stored voltage to the scan electrode or the sustain electrode. In addition, the first rising period d1 may be referred to as an ER-Up period.

In the first sustain period d2, the voltage of the main sustain signal M-SUS rapidly rises from the first voltage V1 to the second voltage V2, and then the second voltage V2 is maintained substantially constant. Can be. Although not shown in the first sustain period d2, the energy recovery circuit clamps the voltage of the scan electrode or the sustain electrode from the first voltage V1 to the second voltage V2.

In the first falling period d3, the voltage of the main sustain signal M-SUS may gradually fall from the second voltage V2 to the third voltage V3 higher than the voltage of the ground level GND. Although not shown, the first falling period d3 is a period during which the energy recovery circuit recovers the voltage of the scan electrode or the sustain electrode. In addition, the first falling period d3 may be referred to as an ER-Down period.

In addition, it may be preferable that the length of the first falling period d3 is longer than the length of the first rising period d1. In this case, since the time for which the energy recovery circuit recovers the reactive energy of the scan electrode or the sustain electrode becomes long, the energy recovery efficiency of the energy recovery circuit can be increased, and thus the driving efficiency can be improved.

After the first falling period d3, the voltage of the main sustain signal M-SUS may drop rapidly from the third voltage V3 to the voltage of the ground level GND. That is, clamping is performed from the third voltage V3 to the voltage of the ground level GND.

In addition, the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS according to the present invention may include a second rising period d01 in which the voltage gradually rises and a second falling period d20 in which the voltage gradually falls, as shown in (a). Can be.

The pulse width W10 of the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS may be smaller than the pulse width W1 of the main sustain signal M-SUS.

In addition, it may be preferable that the magnitude ΔV2 of the voltage of the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS is smaller than the magnitude ΔV1 of the voltage of the main sustain signal M-SUS.

Here, in the second rising period d10, the voltage of the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS may gradually increase from the voltage of the ground level GND to the fourth voltage V4. The second rising period d10 is a period during which the energy recovery circuit supplies a voltage stored to the scan electrode or the sustain electrode, and may be referred to as an ER-Up period.

Here, the fourth voltage V4 of the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS may be substantially the same as the first voltage V1 of the main sustain signal M-SUS.

In the second rising period d10 of the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS, the voltage rises from the voltage of the ground level GND in the same manner as the first rising period d1 of the main sustain signal M-SUS. When the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS and the main sustain signal M-SUS are generated by the same energy recovery circuit, and the driving timings of the first rising period d1 and the second rising period d10 are approximately the same. Can be achieved. In this case, the magnitude of the voltage change rate in the second rising period d10 of the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS is equal to the magnitude of the voltage change rate in the first rising period d1 of the main sustain signal M-SUS. can do. In addition, the length of the second rising period d10 may be approximately equal to the length of the first rising period d1.

In addition, the second falling period d20 may be continuously connected to the second rising period d10.

When the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS is compared with the main sustain signal M-SUS, the sustain period for maintaining the maximum voltage may be omitted in the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS.

In the second falling period d20, the voltage of the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS may gradually decrease from the fourth voltage V4 to the fifth voltage V5 higher than the voltage of the ground level GND. The second falling period d20 is a period during which the energy recovery circuit recovers the voltage of the scan electrode or the sustain electrode, and may be referred to as an ER-Down period.

After the second falling period d20, the voltage of the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS may drop rapidly from the fifth voltage V5 to the voltage of the ground level GND. That is, clamping is performed from the fifth voltage V5 to the voltage of the ground level GND.

Here, the fifth voltage V5 of the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS may be substantially different from the third voltage V3 of the main sustain signal M-SUS.

The second rising period d10 of the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS starts from the fourth voltage V4, whereas the first rising period d1 of the main sustain signal M-SUS is the fourth voltage V4. Starting from a higher second voltage V2. As a result, the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS and the main sustain signal M-SUS are generated by the same energy recovery circuit, and the driving timing of the first falling period d3 and the second falling period d20 is substantially reduced. The fifth voltage V5 may be different from the third voltage V3 even if the same.

In addition, since the first rising period d1 of the main sustain signal M-SUS starts from the second voltage V2 higher than the fourth voltage V4, the third voltage V3 is the fifth voltage V5. Higher ones may be desirable.

On the other hand, even when the fourth voltage V4 and the fifth voltage V5 are different, the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS and the main sustain signal M-SUS are generated by the same energy recovery circuit and have a first falling period. If the driving timing of d3 and the second falling period d20 is substantially the same, the magnitude of the voltage change rate in the second falling period d20 of the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS is equal to the main sustain signal M-SUS. It may be equal to the magnitude of the voltage change rate in the first falling period (d3) of. In addition, the length of the second falling period d20 may be approximately equal to the length of the second falling period d3.

In addition, it may be preferable that the length of the second falling period d20 is longer than the length of the second rising period d10. In this case, since the time for which the energy recovery circuit recovers the reactive energy of the scan electrode or the sustain electrode becomes long, the energy recovery efficiency of the energy recovery circuit can be increased, and thus the driving efficiency can be improved.

In addition, the main sustain signal M-SUS has a maximum voltage v2 in the first sustain period d2, whereas the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS has a second rising period d10 and a second falling period ( At the point in time t0 where d20 is continued, it may have a maximum voltage V4.

Here, the maximum voltage V4 of the auxiliary sustain signal (S-SUS) is smaller than the maximum voltage V2 of the main sustain signal M-SUS, and is equal to the maximum voltage V2 of the main sustain signal M-SUS. The voltage may be greater than 0.5. Here, the energy recovery when the maximum voltage V4 of the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS is smaller than 0.5 times the maximum voltage V2 of the main sustain signal M-SUS. Since the driving efficiency of the circuit may be excessively lowered, the maximum voltage V4 of the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS is smaller than the maximum voltage V2 of the main sustain signal M-SUS, and the main sustain signal M It may be desirable to have a voltage greater than 0.5 times the maximum voltage V2 of -SUS).

6 to 8 are diagrams for explaining an example of the configuration and operation method of the drive unit for supplying the main sustain signal.

First, referring to FIG. 6, a driving unit for supplying the main sustain signal M-SUS is a capacitor C, a first switch S1, a second switch S2, an inductor L, and a third It may include a switch S3 and a fourth switch S4.

The voltage of the scan electrode Y or the sustain electrode Z may be recovered and stored in the capacitor C, and the voltage stored in the capacitor C may be supplied to the sustain electrode Z or the scan electrode Y. have.

The inductor L may be disposed between the capacitor C and the scan electrode or the sustain electrode. The inductor L may generate resonance when the voltage stored in the capacitor C is supplied to the scan electrode or the sustain electrode and when the voltage of the scan electrode or the sustain electrode is recovered to the capacitor C. FIG.

The first switch S1 and the second switch S2 may be arranged in parallel between the inductor L and the capacitor C. FIG. That is, the first switch S1 and the second switch S2 may be arranged in parallel between the first node n1 and the second node n2.

The first switch S1 may supply a voltage stored in the capacitor C to the scan electrode or the sustain electrode in the rising period of the sustain signal SUS through a predetermined switching operation.

The second switch S2 may recover the voltage of the scan electrode or the sustain electrode to the capacitor C during the falling period of the sustain signal SUS through a predetermined switching operation.

The fourth switch S4 may be disposed between the scan electrode or the sustain electrode and the sustain voltage source for supplying the sustain voltage Vs. That is, the fourth switch S3 is disposed between the third node n3 and the sustain voltage source.

The fourth switch S4 can supply the sustain voltage Vs to the scan electrode or the sustain electrode through a predetermined switching operation.

The third switch S3 may be disposed between the scan electrode or the sustain electrode and the ground GND. That is, the third switch S4 is disposed between the third node n3 and the ground GND.

The third switch S3 may supply a voltage of the ground level GND to the scan electrode or the sustain electrode through a predetermined switching operation.

An example of the operation of the driving unit is as follows.

First, as in the first rising period d1 of FIG. 7, the first, second, and third switches S2, S3, and S4 are turned off, and the first switch S1 is turned on. Can be turned on.

Then, as shown in (1) of FIG. 8, the voltage stored in the capacitor C may be supplied to the scan electrode or the sustain electrode through the LC resonance by the inductor L in the first rising period d1. Then, the voltage of the scan electrode or the sustain electrode may gradually increase from the voltage of the ground level GND to the first voltage V1.

Thereafter, in the first sustain period d2, the fourth switch S4 may be turned on while the first switch S1 is kept turned on.

Then, as shown in (3) of FIG. 8, the second voltage Vs generated by the sustain voltage source, that is, the sustain voltage Vs may be supplied to the scan electrode or the sustain electrode. Then, the voltage of the scan electrode or the sustain electrode may be clamped from the first voltage V1 to the second voltage V2 to substantially maintain the second voltage V2.

Thereafter, in the first falling period d3, the first switch S1 and the fourth switch S4 may be turned off.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8 (2), the voltage of the electrode may be recovered to the capacitor C through LC resonance by the inductor L. Then, the voltage of the scan electrode or the sustain electrode may gradually fall from the second voltage V2.

In addition, after the first falling period d3, the third switch S3 may be turned on.

Then, a current path from the scan electrode or the sustain electrode to the ground GND may be formed from the scan electrode or the sustain electrode via the third switch S3 as shown in FIG. 8, and thus the voltage of the scan electrode or the sustain electrode is zero. The voltage may gradually decrease from the second voltage V2 to the third voltage V3.

It is possible to supply the main sustain signal M-SUS to the scan electrode or the sustain electrode by using the above-described driving unit and method.

9 to 13 are views for explaining an example of the configuration and operation method of the drive unit for supplying the auxiliary sustain signal. Hereinafter, overlapping descriptions of the parts described above in detail will be omitted.

First, referring to FIG. 9, the driving unit for supplying the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS is a capacitor C, a first switch S1, a second switch S2, an inductor L, and a third It may include a switch (S3).

Compared with the driving unit of FIG. 6, the driving unit of FIG. 9 may be understood that the fourth switch S4 is omitted from the driving unit of FIG. 6.

Alternatively, the fourth switch S4 is not used when the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS is supplied using the driving unit having the configuration as shown in FIG. 6.

An example of the operation of the driving unit is as follows.

First, as shown in the second rising period d10 of FIG. 10, the first and second switches S1 are turned on while the second and third switches S2 and S3 are turned off. Can be.

Then, the voltage stored in the capacitor C may be supplied to the scan electrode or the sustain electrode through LC resonance by the inductor L. Then, the voltage of the scan electrode or the sustain electrode may gradually increase from the voltage of the ground level GND to the fourth voltage V4.

Thereafter, in the second falling period d20, the second switch S2 may be turned on.

Then, the voltage of the scan electrode or the sustain electrode can be recovered to the capacitor C through the LC resonance by the inductor (L). Then, the voltage of the scan electrode or the sustain electrode may gradually decrease from the fourth voltage V4 to the fifth voltage V5 higher than the voltage of the ground level GND.

As described above, since the second falling period d20 is continued after the second rising period d10, the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS is lower than the maximum voltage V2 of the main sustain signal M-SUS. The voltage V4 can be gradually lowered from the fifth voltage V5.

Alternatively, as in the case of FIG. 11, the second switch S2 may be turned on while the first switch S1 maintains the turn-on state.

That is, the first switch S1 is turned off at the time t2, and the second switch S2 is turned on at the time t1 before the time t2, so that the first switch S1 is turned on and the second switch is turned on. The period in which S2 is turned on is overlapped with each other by Δt1.

As such, the period in which the first switch S1 is turned on and the period in which the second switch S2 is turned on overlap each other, and the scan electrode or the sustain electrode substantially applies the fourth voltage V4 for the period Δt1. Can be maintained.

On the other hand, if the turn-on period of the first switch S1 is longer, a phenomenon in which the voltage stored in the capacitor C is lower than the voltage of the scan electrode or the sustain electrode may occur.

In this case, since the voltage of the scan electrode or the sustain electrode is recovered to the capacitor C instantaneously, as shown in FIG. 12, the voltage of the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS decreases when the first switch S1 is turned on. The voltage may fall to the maximum voltage, that is, the sixth voltage V6 lower than the fourth voltage V4.

Thereafter, when the second switch S2 is turned on, the voltage of the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS may gradually decrease from the sixth voltage V6 to the fifth voltage V5.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 13, the turn-off time point t3 of the first switch S1 may be earlier than the turn-on time point t4 of the second switch S2. In addition, the scan electrode or the sustain electrode may be floated in the period Δt2 between the turn-off time t3 of the first switch S1 and the turn-on time t4 of the second switch S2. have.

At such Δt2, the scan electrode or the sustain electrode can substantially maintain the voltage due to the floating effect.

14 to 19 are diagrams for describing a method of using an auxiliary sustain signal.

First, referring to FIG. 14, the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS may be supplied first in the sustain period of an arbitrary subfield.

For example, one auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS may be supplied to the electrode in the sustain period of any subfield, and one auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS may be supplied first in the sustain period. .

On the other hand, as in the case of Figure 15 (a) it is assumed that the auxiliary sustain signal (S-SUS) is not supplied only the main sustain signal (M-SUS) is supplied to the scan electrode or the sustain electrode.

In this case, when the address discharge is weak or a large amount of wall charges are lost in the address period due to the temperature of the panel or the like, the intensity of the discharge generated by the main sustain signal (M-SUS) is relatively weak. Can be done.

In addition, when the intensity of the discharge generated by the first main sustain signal M-SUS is excessively weak, the intensity of the discharge generated by the subsequent main sustain signal M-SUS may be gradually weakened.

Therefore, the luminance characteristic of the image may be deteriorated by decreasing the amount of light generated in the sustain period.

Meanwhile, the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS is supplied by an energy recovery operation and an energy supply operation through resonance of the inductor as in the case of FIGS. 9 to 13. Therefore, the intensity of the discharge generated by the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS is weaker than that of the discharge generated by the main sustain signal M-SUS, and the discharge generated by the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS is It is possible to increase the amount of wall charge in the discharge cell.

Accordingly, when the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS is first supplied as in the case of FIG. 15B, a weak discharge ① may be generated primarily by the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS. Due to this weak discharge, a sufficient amount of wall charges may be formed in the discharge cell. Accordingly, the intensity of the discharge ② generated by the main sustain signal M-SUS may be sufficiently strong, thereby improving the luminance characteristic of the image.

Alternatively, the auxiliary sustain signal (S-SUS) may be supplied to the scan electrode and the sustain electrode first in the sustain period of any subfield as in the case of FIG. 16.

In this case, it is possible to further stabilize the sustain discharge.

Alternatively, as in the case of FIG. 17, one main sustain signal M-SUS and one auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS may form one signal pair (Pair of the signals PS). In addition, the signal pair PS may be supplied to at least one of a scan electrode and a sustain electrode. In addition, the main sustain signal M-SUS and the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS may have the same polarity.

For example, it is possible for the signal pair PS composed of one main sustain signal M-SUS and one auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS to be alternately supplied to the scan electrode and the sustain electrode. In this case, it is possible to further increase the amount of light generated in the sustain period to improve the brightness characteristic of the image.

In addition, the interval L1 between the main sustain signal M-SUS and the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS in one signal pair PS may be smaller than the pulse width W10 of the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS. Can be.

In this case, the primary discharge generated by the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS in the signal pair PS is generated in the sustain period by being continuous with the secondary discharge generated by the main sustain signal M-SUS. The amount of light can be increased further.

Alternatively, when one main sustain signal M-SUS and one auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS constitute a signal pair PS, the main sustain signal M-SUS and the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS ) May be overlapped. For example, as in the case of FIG. 18, the first falling period d3 of the main sustain signal M-SUS, which is late in the supply order, is the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS, which is faster in the other signal pair. It is possible to overlap L2 with the second rising period d10 of.

In this case, a larger number of signal pairs can be supplied in the sustain period, so that it is possible to further improve the brightness characteristic of the image.

Meanwhile, even when the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS is supplied as in the case of FIG. 19, the discharge may not occur in the discharge cell.

As described above, even when the discharge is not generated by the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS, the amount of wall charges may increase in the discharge cell according to the supply of the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS.

Therefore, even if the discharge is not generated by the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS, it is possible to improve the luminance characteristic of the image.

Alternatively, although not shown, the auxiliary sustain signal S-SUS may be supplied last in the sustain period of any subfield.

As such, the technical configuration of the present invention described above can be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention.

Therefore, the exemplary embodiments described above are to be understood as illustrative and not restrictive in all respects, and the scope of the present invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing detailed description, and the meaning and scope of the claims are as follows. And all changes or modifications derived from the equivalent concept should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a plasma display device;

2 is a diagram for explaining the structure of a plasma display panel;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an image frame for implementing gray levels of an image. FIG.

4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a method of driving a plasma display panel.

5 is a diagram for explaining the main sustain signal and the auxiliary sustain signal in more detail.

6 to 8 are diagrams for explaining an example of the configuration and operation method of the drive unit for supplying the main sustain signal.

9 to 13 are diagrams for explaining an example of the configuration and operation method of the drive unit for supplying the auxiliary sustain signal.

14 to 19 are diagrams for explaining a method of using an auxiliary sustain signal.

Claims (21)

A plasma display panel including a scan electrode and a sustain electrode; An auxiliary voltage smaller than a main sustain signal and a main sustain signal to at least one of the scan electrode and the sustain electrode in a sustain period of at least one subfield of a plurality of subfields; A driving unit supplying a sustaining signal; Including, The main sustain signal includes a first rising period in which the voltage gradually rises, a first holding period in which the maximum voltage is maintained, and a first falling period in which the voltage is gradually falling, And the auxiliary sustain signal includes a second rising period in which the voltage gradually rises and a second falling period in succession to the second rising period and in which the voltage gradually falls. The method of claim 1, And a pulse width of the auxiliary sustain signal is smaller than a pulse width of the main sustain signal. The method of claim 1, And the length of the second rising period is equal to the length of the first rising period. The method of claim 1, And the length of the second falling period is the same as the length of the first falling period. The method of claim 1, And the rate of change of voltage in the second rise period is the same as the rate of change of voltage in the first rise period. The method of claim 1, And a voltage change rate of the second falling period is the same as the voltage change rate of the first falling period. The method of claim 1, The voltage of the main sustain signal gradually increases from the voltage of the ground level GND to the first voltage V1 in the first rising period and is higher than the first voltage V1 in the first sustain period. The voltage V2 is maintained and gradually falls from the second voltage V2 to the third voltage V3 higher than the voltage of the ground level GND in the first falling period. The auxiliary sustain signal gradually rises from the voltage of the ground level GND to the fourth voltage V4 lower than the second voltage V2 in the second rising period, and increases the fourth in the second falling period. And a voltage gradually falling from the voltage (V4) to the fifth voltage (V5) higher than the voltage of the ground level (GND). The method of claim 1, The fourth voltage (V4) is the same as the first voltage (V1) plasma display device. The method of claim 1, The fifth voltage (V5) is lower than the third voltage (V3) plasma display device. The method of claim 1, And the auxiliary sustain signal has a maximum voltage at a point in time between the second rising period and the second falling period. The method of claim 1, One main sustain signal and one auxiliary sustain signal form a pair of the signals, And the signal pair is supplied to at least one of the scan electrode and the sustain electrode. The method of claim 11, And an interval between the main sustain signal and the auxiliary sustain signal in one signal pair is smaller than a pulse width of the auxiliary sustain signal. The method of claim 1, And a main sustain signal supplied to one of the scan electrode and the sustain electrode overlaps with an auxiliary sustain signal supplied to the other. The method of claim 1, And the auxiliary sustain signal is supplied first during the sustain period. The method of claim 1, And the auxiliary sustain signal is last supplied during the sustain period. The method of claim 1, And a length of the second falling period is longer than a length of the second rising period. The method of claim 1, And the magnitude of the voltage of the auxiliary sustain signal is less than and greater than 0.5 times the magnitude of the voltage of the main sustain signal. A plasma display panel including a scan electrode and a sustain electrode; And In the sustain period of at least one subfield of the plurality of subfields, an auxiliary voltage having a smaller magnitude and width than a main sustain signal and the main sustain signal and having the same polarity as the main sustain signal. A driver alternately supplying a pair of signals including a sustaining signal to the scan electrode and the sustain electrode; Plasma display device comprising a. A plasma display panel including an electrode; And A driving unit supplying a supplementary sustain signal to the electrode in a sustain period of a sub-field; Including, The auxiliary sustain signal includes a rising period in which the voltage rises, a falling period in which the voltage is gradually lowered in succession with the rising period, The driver includes a capacitor; An inductor disposed between the capacitor and the electrode; First and second switches arranged in parallel between the inductor and the capacitor; And A third switch disposed between the electrode and the ground; Including, And the first switch is turned on in the rising period, and the second switch is turned on before the first switch is turned off. The method of claim 19, And the auxiliary sustain signal has a maximum voltage before the second switch is turned on. A plasma display panel including an electrode; And A driving unit supplying a supplementary sustain signal to the electrode in a sustain period of a sub-field; Including, The auxiliary sustain signal includes a rising period in which the voltage rises, a falling period in which the voltage is gradually lowered in succession with the rising period, The driver includes a capacitor; An inductor disposed between the capacitor and the electrode; First and second switches arranged in parallel between the inductor and the capacitor; And A third switch disposed between the electrode and the ground; Including, The turn-off time point of the first switch is faster than the turn-on time point of the second switch, and the turn-off time point of the first switch and the turn-on time of the second switch are And the electrode is floating between the viewpoints.

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