JPS5923061B2 - Gas discharge type display device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a gas discharge type display device that displays characters, graphics, etc. using discharge.

A typical direct current discharge type display device is a self-scanning type called Burrows type, and its electrode configuration consists of three types of electrode groups: two types of display matrix electrode groups and a scanning electrode group. has. In response to this problem, the present inventors proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-142865 a display device composed of only two types of display matrix electrodes as shown in FIG.

In this device, two types of electrode groups, cathodes 3 and 3', which are Y-direction electrode groups, and anodes 4, which are X-direction electrode groups, are arranged perpendicularly to each other between two glass plates 1 and 2. The elongated strip-shaped dielectric layer 51 provided in parallel to each anode 4 separates a discharge space and allows discharge to occur inside. It has a two-electrode structure filled with a gas whose main component is a rare gas that emits light when heated. Note that 3' is a cathode for resetting. Figure 2 shows
2 is a sectional view of the display device along the cathode 3 in FIG. 1, and this structure has a space 6a and a space 6a and The space 6a is used for sequentially transferring the pilot discharge along the anode 4, and the space 6b is used for generating the display discharge.

That is, by keeping the discharge current small, the glow discharge of each discharge dot 6 becomes a so-called normal glow discharge, which is limited to the area of the space 6a, and by increasing the discharge current, it changes to an abnormal glow discharge. It extends to the area of space 6b. When a pilot discharge occurs in the space 6a, the anode 4 is made of a thick band-shaped opaque metal film, so the discharge light from the pilot is shielded, and light leakage from the front surface of the discharge dots 6 is prevented. , I can barely feel it. On the other hand, when the discharge spreads into the space 6b, display light emission is obtained from the front surface of the discharge dot 6. In other words, by increasing or decreasing the discharge current within the space of the same discharge dot 6, the binary state (on-off state) of display discharge and pilot discharge is determined for each discharge dot 6. can be displayed. As described above, in the display device previously proposed by the present inventors, the pilot discharge in the space 6a has a function equivalent to a Burroughs-type scanning electrode. Therefore, a display device having this structure has a simpler display surface configuration, is easier to manufacture, and is less expensive to manufacture than a Burrows type device.

Moreover, there is no crosstalk between adjacent discharge dots 6, and a stable and highly recognizable display can be realized. The present inventors have proposed a method for driving such a display device in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 54-71943, which is shown in FIG.
This will be explained based on FIG.

FIG. 3 schematically shows an arbitrary anode 4, a set cathode 3', and a following cathode 3 of the display device shown in FIG. 1 to 8-9, a resistor 9 for limiting the display discharge current, a power source E (250V), and an anode floating capacitance 10 are shown.

Since the reset cathode 3' is the first cathode at which scanning starts, in order to ensure the start of discharge, the potential applied to the reset cathode 3' must be lower than that of the other cathodes, and the cathode selection time must be longer than the other cathodes. A method is used. FIG. 3 shows the former case, that is, a state in which a lower potential is applied to the cathode by E' (50 V) than to the other cathodes. FIG. 4 shows a timing relationship of part of the driving operation of the display device shown in FIG. 3. In FIG.

TK,, TK4, TK5... are cathodes 8-3, 8
-4, 8-5... represent the cathode selection time when it is turned on. TCHG,, TCHG4, TCHG,...
... represents the time during which the anode switch 7 is turned on and the capacitor 10 is charged from the power source E to the discharge starting voltage when all the cathodes are off. Next, explanation will be given according to this timing chart.

First, charging time T. When HO, the anode switch 7 is turned on and the capacitor 10 is charged through the resistor 9, so the anode 4
The potential increases to the discharge starting voltage. When the anode switch 7 is turned off and the cathode switch 8-3 is turned on, the capacity is 10.
The electric charge that had been charged in the cell instantly flows, creating a minute pilot discharge current. flows and the discharge stops. At this time, the anode potential v drops rapidly, and when the discharge stops, the leakage current of the anode switch 7 (for example, it is charged by the base collector of the transistor and the disconnection cup, so it gradually rises. Charging time TCIIG, When the anode switch 7 is off, all the cathode switches are turned off, the anode switch 7 is turned on, and the capacitor 10 is charged again.At the cathode selection times TIC4 and TK5, if the anode switch 7 is off, the seed Fire discharge takes place. After the charging time TOl, the cathode selection time T
When the anode switch 7 is kept on at K6, a pilot discharge flows for a moment, and then a constant display discharge current flows from the power source E through the resistor 9. At this time, the anode potential maintains a discharge sustaining voltage with respect to the ground potential of the cathode. As explained above, the anode floating capacitance 10 is charged every time the cathode is scanned, and the pilot discharge is performed even at this charging voltage, so the brightness of the pilot discharge does not increase, and the pilot discharge does not increase in brightness. No more leaking or flickering.

Therefore, it is possible to realize a display device that performs display discharge and pilot discharge within one discharge space and obtains stable scanning discharge.
By the way, this driving method is described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-7
As stated in the 1943 publication, since the pilot discharge current is small, the Burrows type self-scanning method, in which scanning electrodes, such as cathodes, are commonly connected at several intervals and operates with a small number of drive circuits, does not provide stable operation. Therefore, it is necessary to use a sequential scanning method in which individual switches are added to all cathodes, resulting in a larger cathode drive circuit and higher manufacturing cost than in the rose type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a display device in which a driving circuit for scanning electrodes can be simplified.

Here, as a device that can simplify the drive circuit, the scanning electrodes shown in FIG.
-3..., for example, as shown in Fig. 5, five cathodes other than the reset cathode are connected at intervals, and scanning switches 11-1 to 11-5 are provided at each common terminal. There are possible cases.

In this case, if only one switch 7 is attached to the anode 4 as shown in Fig. 3, and the cathode is driven in common as shown in Fig. 5, the pilot discharge will increase due to the capacity added to the anode, and the discharge current will increase. is small and pilot discharge occurs at unnecessary locations, making it impossible to obtain stable scanning as described in FIG. Therefore, in order to obtain stable scanning, the anodes must be connected to the anode blocks 4-A, 4-B, 4-C, which correspond to the set anode 4 and the adjacent cathodes that are not connected in common, as shown in FIG. 7', 71A, 7-, respectively.
B, 7-C1... must be provided. −
1', 10-A, lO-B, lO-C...... is,
The stray capacitance of the reset anode and each anode block is shown.
FIG. 6 shows the operation timing diagram of FIG. 5, and shows the cathode 3-
This shows a state in which discharge cells 3, 3-6, 3-7, and 3-11 perform display discharge, and discharge cells on other cathodes perform pilot discharge.

First, charging time T. Only the HG program switch 7' is turned on to charge the capacitor 10', and thereafter, during the set time, a constant discharge current flows through the resistor 9' as in the case of the display device. If the light emitted by the above set discharge is not directly utilized, a blackening film may be provided on the surface glass 1 on the set cathode 3' as shown in FIG. Next, turn off the program switch 7' and turn on only the program switch J' to charge the capacity 10-A, and then the cathode selection time TKl
Then turn off the program switch J and switch 1 for scanning.
When 1-1 is turned on, a pilot discharge occurs at the cathode 3-1.

At this time, cathodes 3-6, 3-11... are cathodes 3-
1, but the anode blocks 4-B, 4-C...
Since the stray capacitances 10-B, 1O-C, etc. of ... are not charged, the cathodes 3-6, 3-11...
・In this case, no discharge occurs. Also the period of TCHG2, TK2? The same operation as HG and TKl is repeated and the pilot discharge moves to the cathode 3-2. During the cathode selection time TK3VC, the processor switch J is kept in the on state, and a constant current is passed through the resistor 9-A, so that a display discharge is obtained at the current electrode 3-3. As described above, the cathode 3-5 is scanned. Similarly, the anode blocks 4-B, 4-C, etc. are controlled by the respective proc switches J, A, 7-C, and the scanning switches 11-1 to 11-5. Then, scanning is performed in order from the cathode 3-6 while switching between pilot discharge and display discharge depending on the display content.

By the way, if we consider the case where the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 5 is configured as a display device as shown in FIG. 1, it is necessary to draw out lead lines from each anode block and provide switch circuits for all of them. As an anode drive circuit, a switch equal to (the number of anode blocks) x (the number of switches for one block) is required.

Therefore, when compared with FIG. 3, the cathode drive circuit is simplified, but the anode and drive circuits are increased, and the structure of the display device is also complicated. The present invention provides a display device and a driving method in which the function of the anode processing switch explained in FIG. 5 is provided inside the display device, and both the anode drive circuit and the cathode drive circuit can be simplified.

The present invention will be described below based on examples together with drawings.

A schematic diagram showing the basic configuration of a display device according to the present invention,
The drive circuit is shown in FIG. 7, and its operation timing is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the reset anode 4' and the anode block 4-A,
4-B, 4-C... are resistors 9' and 9, respectively.
- connected to the lead-in line 13 via A, 9-B, 9-C,
This is provided with one anode switch 7.

On the other hand, the cathodes, which are scanning electrodes, are individually independent in each anode block, as in FIG. 5, and are successively connected to the cathodes of other anode blocks. Control cathodes 3-A, 3-b, which are the key points of the present invention, are provided between the anode blocks, and each control cathode switch (hereinafter referred to as a control switch) 14- A, l4-B are connected. Control anodes 4-A, 4-b, . . . are arranged in correspondence with the control cathodes 3-A, 3-b, . . . to constitute a control discharge cell. The control anode 4-A,
41b... are resistors 12-A and l2-B, respectively.
Anode block 4-A, 4-BVC through...
Connected. The timing diagram in Figure 8 is similar to Figure 6,
reset cathode switch 8' and scanning switch 11-1~
11-5. The display state is the same as in Fig. 6, with cathodes 3-3, 3-6, 3-7,
The case is shown in which the anode switch is set at a timing when display discharge occurs on -11 and pilot discharge occurs on other cathodes. Now, the cathode 3-1 in the anode block 4-A
The period L during which 3-5 is scanned will be explained first.

The control switch 14-A is kept off during this TA period,
No discharge occurs between the control cathode 3-a and the control anode 4-a, and a pilot discharge (if the anode switch 7 is off) or display occurs between the anode block 4-A and the cathodes 3-1 to 3-5. The discharge (when the anode switch 7 is on) is sequentially scanned.
Meanwhile, during this T1 period, other control switches 14-B...
... is the time TCHG, ~T to charge the stray capacitance 10-B of each anode block 4-B...
When it is turned off during the cathode selection time TKl~UO, it is connected to each anode block between the control cathode 3-b1 and the control anode 4-b. A controlled discharge is performed in the controlled discharge cell. That is, this controlled discharge causes stable scanning within the anode block 4-A. Note that this controlled discharge is not related to the display content, so it is only necessary to devise measures to prevent light from leaking to the outside of the display device. By the way, when the discharge cell in the anode block 4-A performs a pilot discharge, the anode switch 7 is in the OFF state, and the controlled discharge of the other anode blocks 4-B...
Since the discharge is caused by the charging voltage of each capacitor 10-B, the discharge current 1 shown in FIG. It flows instantly like a pilot flame and consumes little power. However, when the anode switch 7 is turned on and in the display discharge state as in the cathode selection time TK, the anode blocks 4-B other than the anode blocks 4-A... Since a discharge current flows through the controlled discharge cell through the resistor 9-B during the controlled discharge, the resistor 12-B is added to reduce the power consumption due to the controlled discharge. .
Next, during the male period, the cathodes 3-1 to 3 in the anode block 4-A are
When scanning is completed up to -5, the operation shifts to period TB during which cathodes 3-6 to 3-10 in anode block 4-B are scanned.

During this TB period, the control switch 14-B is turned off, and the other control switches are turned off during the cathode selection time TK6 to TOl.
. When the anode block 4-B is turned on, controlled discharge is always performed in the anode blocks other than the anode block 4-B, and the potential of all of these anode blocks decreases, so that the cathodes 3-6 to 3-10 in the anode block 4-B are turned on. stable scanning can be obtained. As described above, the anode blocks are sequentially scanned.
In addition, the values of the resistors 12-A, l2-B1, etc. connected to the control anodes 4-A, 4-b, etc. should be as large as possible in order to minimize power consumption. is desirable.

However, if it is made too large, the following two problems arise. 1
One is that the charging time of the stray capacitance @7 (not shown in the figure) added to the control electrodes 4-A, 4-b, etc. becomes longer, and the display discharge time becomes shorter. becomes dark.

Another problem is that when controlled discharge is performed with the anode switch 7 on, the potential of the anode block becomes high and reaches the discharge starting voltage, causing a misdischarge in the anode block. In this way, in order to obtain accurate controlled discharge operation, the resistors 12-A, l
It is preferable that the value of 2-B is as small as possible. Therefore, resistors 12-A, l2-B...
The value of should be set taking these points into consideration. An example of the configuration of the specific display device of the present invention described above will be described.

The embodiments described below apply thick film printing technology.

FIG. 9 shows a display device constructed in accordance with the schematic diagram of FIG. 7. Seven conductors 13 and five scanning cathodes, for example 3
-1 to 3-5, 3-6 to 3-10, etc., a 5×7 dot matrix character display is obtained.

Also, between the characters, the control cathode 3-Al3-b...
... has been established. Inside the device (Ne+0.5%A
r) 150T0rr of gas is sealed. Table 1 shows the various characteristics of such an apparatus when it is operated according to the driving method shown in FIG. 8 based on the present invention. FIG. 10 shows a partially exploded view of FIG. 9.

A black dielectric paste is printed on the surface glass 1 to prevent light emission from leaking due to pilot discharge or control discharge, and an anode block 4, control anodes 4-A, 4-b, and conductors 13 are printed on the surface glass 1. Print the silver paste that makes up the. Next, after printing of the resistive pastes 9 and 12 is finished, a dielectric paste is printed so that only the anode block and the control anode are exposed to the discharge space, and the conductor 13 and the resistive pastes 9 and 12 are hardened. A nickel paste constituting a cathode is printed on the back glass 2, and a dielectric paste 5 is printed thereon to maintain a discharge space and prevent crosstalk. The resistance values of the resistor pastes 9 and 12 are set to approximately 130 KΩ and approximately 50 KΩ, respectively. Note that the cathodes of each anode block are sequentially connected at intervals of five on the back plate 2 in FIG. Where they are not connected, dielectric paste is applied between the conductors in the two directions to maintain insulation.

As explained above, according to the present invention, since the discharge has the control function for one drive, the configuration of the one drive section is greatly simplified and stable display discharge is achieved.

Therefore, the present invention can be said to be very suitable for multiple matrix displays.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are a cutaway perspective view and a side sectional view of the main parts of a conventional gas discharge type display device, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are published by the present inventors in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-171943. A schematic block diagram and timing diagram of the same operation of the gas discharge type display device proposed in the specification, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are a schematic block diagram and the same operation timing diagram of the gas discharge type display device that can achieve the object of the present invention. Timing diagrams, FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic configuration diagrams and operational timing diagrams showing one embodiment of the gas discharge type display device of the present invention, and FIGS. 9 and 10 are electrode configurations of the same embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view and a perspective view. 3'... Reset cathode, 3-1, 3-2, 3-
3...Cathode, 3-A, 3-b...Control cathode, 4'...Reset anode, 4-A, 4-
B, 4-C... Anode block, 4-A, 4-b
...... Control anode, 7... Anode switch, 9-A, 9-B, l2-A, l2-B... Current limiting resistor, 10-A, lO-B... Stray capacitance, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3... Cathode switch, 13... Lead-in wire, 14-A, l4-B
・・・・・・Control switch, TOHGl, TCHG,
,TCHG3゜゜゛゜゜゜Charging period, TKl》 TK2
9TK3゛゜゜゜゜゜Cathode selection time.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A number of cathodes and a number of anodes are perpendicular to each other, and a scanning switch circuit and an anode switch circuit are connected to the cathodes and anodes, respectively, in order to sequentially generate either pilot discharge or display discharge at the orthogonal points. In the display device, the cathodes are divided into at least a first group and a second group, and corresponding cathodes of the first group and the second group are connected to a common scanning switch circuit,
A first anode perpendicular to the first group and a second anode perpendicular to the second group are connected to a common anode switch circuit through respective resistors, and are connected to respective control anodes through resistors. and the control anode connected to the first anode forms a control discharge cell together with a control cathode added to the first group and connected to a control switch circuit, and is connected to the second anode. A gas discharge type display device, wherein the control anode formed in the second group forms a control discharge cell together with a control cathode added to the second group and connected to a control switch circuit.