Patent ID: 6760002
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
A method of driving an image display apparatus comprising a plurality of electron-emitting devices being wired in a matrix arrangement through a plurality of X-directional wirings and a plurality of Y-directional wirings and having respectively characteristics which change from an initial state into a low resistance state, a voltage applier for applying a voltage to the plurality of electron-emitting devices, and a phosphor emitting light responsive to an irradiation with an electron emitted from at least one of the electron-emitting devices, the method comprising the steps of:in a first operating mode, applying a voltage from the voltage applier to one or more selected electron-emitting devices according to an image signal, to cause the one or more selected electron-emitting devices to emit at least one electron; and in a second operating mode, applying a voltage to one or more selected electron-emitting devices according to another signal different from the image signal, thereby changing into a high resistance state the one or more selected electron-emitting devices previously changed into a low resistance state, wherein the second operating mode is performed after a predetermined period in which the voltage is applied in the first operating mode, and wherein the first operating mode causes light to be emitted from the phosphor and an image displaying according to the image signal, while the second mode causes no light emission from the phosphor.