Method and apparatus for driving a capacitive flat matrix display panel

Abstract

In a display device having a plurality of scanning-side electrodes arranged in one direction, a plurality of data-side electrodes arranged in a second direction intersection the first direction, and dielectric layers interposed therebetween, a modulated voltage the magnitude of which is varied according to the emission or non-emission of light is applied to the data-side electrodes, while applying a write voltage in line sequential fashion to the scanning-side electrodes, thereby performing the display control. In such a display device, the polarity of the voltage applied between the data-side electrode and the scanning-side electrode corresponding to the picture element to be driven for light emission is reversed one or more times during the period in which the write voltage is being applied to the scanning-side electrode. This serves to reduce the modulated voltage and the write voltage, thus contributing to the reduction in power consumption. Even when the modulated voltage or the write voltage is reduced, the desired brightness of emitted light can be obtained. In the case of not lowering the modulated voltage or the write voltage, it is possible to further enhance the brightness of emitted light.