Abstract: An AC plasma panel display includes front and back panels that respectively support a first parallel electrode pattern and a second orthogonally oriented, parallel electrode pattern. The electrode patterns define a display area and both patterns are covered by dielectric layers. A dischargeable gas is positioned between the dielectric layers in the known manner. Driver circuitry is coupled to both electrode patterns for creating a spatially continuous gas discharge along at least one continuous electrode of one electrode pattern and across the entire display area. The driver circuitry scans the spatially continuous gas discharge across remaining parallel electrodes of the one electrode pattern so as to scan the entire display area. A further electrode is in DC conductive communication with the gas and is positioned outside of the display area but in contact with the spatially continuous gas discharge during its scanning action.

Abstract: A plasma panel, incorporating the invention, includes circuitry for applying row signals sequentially to a plurality of row electrodes. Each row signal includes a set-up period, an address period and a sustain period. A row signal during the set-up period includes both a positive-going ramp voltage and a negative-going ramp voltage, both ramp voltages causing a discharge of each pixel site along an associated row electrode. Both ramp voltages exhibit a slope that is set to assure that current flow through each pixel site remains in a positive resistance region of the gas's discharge characteristic, thus assuring a relatively constant voltage drop across the discharging gas, thus resulting in predictable wall voltage states. The set-up period thereby creates standardized wall potentials at each pixel site along each row electrode.

Abstract: An energy efficient driver circuit for driving a display panel having panel electrodes and panel capacitance includes an inductor means coupled to the panel electrodes; a driving voltage source; a voltage supply for providing a supply voltage of a magnitude which is greater than the driving voltage; a first switch device for selectively coupling the driving voltage to the inductor in response to a rising input signal transition, the input signal transition commencing a first state wherein a first current flow occurs through the inductor to charge the panel capacitance, the inductor causing the panel electrodes to rise to a voltage in excess of the driving voltage, at which point the first current flow reaches zero; and a second switch device for selectively coupling the voltage supply to the inductor and panel electrodes.

Abstract: A method and system are described for reducing flicker in a display panel. The method comprises the steps of sequentially addressing rows of pixels in the panel, each addressed row location made active by applied address signals during a row address period. Addressed locations along an active row emit light when addressed. During a row address period, simultaneous addresses are applied to a plurality of additional dummy rows in the panel. The addressing is accomplished with signals that do not change memory display states at locations along the additional dummy rows, but do cause locations along the additional dummy rows to emit light during each row address period.