Method and apparatus for driving a flat panel display

Abstract

A method for driving a flat-panel display includes an anode and a cathode intersecting each other and right angles, and a sustaining electrode which is a plate or arranged in the same direction of the cathode or anode as strips, in which the output waveform of a sustaining electrode driving circuit is a first pulse having a predetermined period and generated with an amplitude obtained by subtracting a second voltage from a first voltage. The output waveform of an anode driving circuit is a second pulse which is generated with an amplitude obtained by subtracting a fourth voltage from a third voltage when the output waveform of the sustaining electrode driving circuit represents the second voltage, an then maintaining the fourth voltage, while writing only. The output waveforms of a cathode driving circuit is a third pulse which is sequentially generated with an amplitude obtained by subtracting a sixth voltage from a fifth voltage when the sustaining electrode driving circuit represents the second voltage. A value obtained by subtracting the fifth voltage from the first voltage is greater than a minimum discharge, and smaller than a discharge firing voltage. The method is suitable for achieving higher resolution and can widen the operational margin, which enables excellent memory operation.