Abstract: An AC PDP has a plurality of addressable subpixel sites, each subpixel site including an address electrode positioned on one substrate and first and second sustain electrodes positioned on an opposed substrate. An intersection between the address electrode and the first sustain electrode defines a first discharge site and an intersection between the address electrode and the second electrode defines a second discharge site. A scan driver is active during an address phase, and applies a negative going signal to the first sustain electrode. An address driver applies an address signal to the address electrode which creates a discharge at the first discharge site. As a result, a positive column moves along the address electrode to the second discharge site and causes a discharge thereat which induces a wall voltage at the second discharge site in accordance with a determined subpixel value.

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: 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.

Abstract: A method is described for erasing pixel cells in an ISA AC plasma display panel. The panel comprises a plurality of cell groups aligned along horizontal and vertical dimensions, each cell group including an address cell, two vertical coupling cells, two horizontal coupling cells, and four pixel cells. Horizontal and vertical address lines are provided and intersect each address cell, and sustain lines are positioned on either side of the address lines and intersect adjacent series of pixel cells and coupling cells in each cell group. Intersections between sustain lines define pixel cells by type, with each cell group having identical first through fourth types at corresponding sustain line intersections.

Abstract: A method for driving an Independent Sustain/Address line (ISA) AC plasma display panel comprises the steps of: energizing address and sustain lines to turn on all four pixel cells in a cell group; applying an erase pulse to an address cell to cause a first coupling cell in the cell group to have wall charges deposited therein; applying next, a preset duration potential between intersecting sustain lines, one sustain line intersecting the first coupling cell and firs and second adjacent pixel cells, to migrate electrons from a discharge of the first coupling cell to a first adjacent pixel cell to erase the pixel cell, such potential further causing an "on" pixel cell adjacent to the first coupling cell to discharge; applying next, another erase pulse to an address cell, to cause a different coupling cell to have wall charges deposited therein; and applying next, a lesser duration potential than the preset duration potential, between a pair of intersecting sustain lines to migrate the deposited wall charges to

Abstract: An improved address driver circuit for plasma panels, particularly useful with an independent sustain and address plasma panel. Address pulse generators for one panel address axis are coupled to MOSFET driver devices and provide pulses of a first polarity; and address pulse generators for the other panel address axis are coupled to similar MOSFET driver devices and provide double pulses of a second polarity. With N-channel open-drain MOSFET drivers on both panel address axes, they only need to be designed to pull low. An improved power efficient sustain driver for plasma panels including an inductor through which the panel capacitance is charged and discharged, and switch means switched when the inductor current is zero, which permits recovery of the energy otherwise lost in driving the panel capacitance. An independent sustain and address plasma panel with such energy efficient address drivers and sustain drivers.

Abstract: An AC gas discharge display panel is described which employs the phenomenon of plasma spreading. In the panel, plasma spreading or "coupling" is employed to couple the plasma at an addressed cell to one of a plurality of pixels to be illuminated. The spreading is controlled by assuring that the cell wall voltages are properly related so that the plasma's electrons migrate to a region where the voltages are approximately equal to or more positive than the wall voltages where the plasma originated. Paired sustain electrodes are selectively energized to enable diversion of the coupled plasma to the desired pixel, so that upon subsequent applications of a sustain voltage, the desired pixel is illuminated (or erased) as the case may be.

Abstract: An improved address driver circuit for plasma panels, particularly useful with an independent sustain and address plasma panel. Address pulse generators for one panel address axis are coupled to MOSFET driver devices and provide pulses of a first polarity; and address pulse generators for the other panel address axis are coupled to similar MOSFET driver devices and provide double pulses of a second polarity. With N-channel open-drain MOSFET drivers on both panel address axes, they only need to be designed to pull low. An improved poeer efficient sustain driver for plasma panels including an inductor through which the panel capacitance is charged and discharged, and switch means switched when the inductor current is zero, which permits recovery of the energy otherwise lost in driving the panel capacitance. An independent sustain and address plasma panel with such energy efficient address drivers and sustain drivers.

Abstract: An AC gas discharge display panel is described which employs the phenomenon of plasma spreading. In the panel, plasma spreading or "coupling" is employed to couple the plasma to an addressed cell to one of a plurality of pixels to be illuminated. The spreading is controlled by assuring that the cell wall voltages are properly related so that the plasma's electrons migrate to a region where the voltages are approximately equal to or more positive than the wall voltages where the plasma originated. Paired sustain electrodes are selectively energized to enable diversion of the coupled plasma to the desired pixel, so that upon subsequent applications of a sustain voltage, the desired pixel is illuminated (or erased) as the case may be.

Abstract: An AC gas discharge logic device with two input electrodes and an output electrode isolated by dielectric material from a dischargeable gas. Upon coupling suitable signals to the input electrodes, the gas is discharged and a voltage level at the dielectric material associated with the input electrodes is established which is different than the initial voltage level at the dielectric material associated with the output electrode. The subsequent voltage level of the output electrode after the gas discharge thus approaches the established voltage level at the input electrodes. An AC gas discharge panel with a plurality of the aforementioned logic devices included within the panel structure.

Abstract: A sustainer for an AC plasma panel is disclosed, wherein two MOSFET transistors are used to alternatively, selectively provide a two level output signal which is used to maintain the emission of light from the plasma panel. The sustainer circuitry requires only a single logic input to control both transistors, and prevents both transistors from conducting simultaneously. The slew rate of the sustainer output is controlled to prevent noise generation, and circuitry is included to prevent high frequency oscillations in the transistors.

Abstract: Sustainer drive circuitry for an AC plasma display panel wherein a multiple level sustainer signal is applied to panel electrodes along one axis only. The sustainer circuit includes a pair of series connected NPN pull-high and pull-down output driver transistors which (a) are respectively driven by low voltage drive circuits isolated from the NPN output driver transistors by capacitors; (b) respectively charge up the panel to a relatively high voltage and discharge the panel to ground; and (c) include a feedback network for limiting the rise time of the high voltage across the panel for reducing noise and electromagnetic interference. Diode circuitry insures that these output driver transistors are turned on and off without ringing and are never driven on simultaneously. A common voltage supply provides both (a) the write pulse level and (b) the write pedestal level of the sustainer waveform.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for electrically interrogating gaseous discharge cells in a plasma panel to sense the state of said cells by selectively coupling a sensing impedance element for detecting the presence of a discharge current associated with cells having information. Graphic systems using electrical interrogation of gaseous discharge cells in a plasma panel to provide image editing and/or image transfer.