Patent ID: 6400345
Filing Date: 2002-06-04
Classification: G09G

Abstract:
An improved method of operating a PALC panel which comprises a channel member defining at least one channel, an ionizable gas in the channel, channel electrodes exposed to the ionizable gas in the channel, a cover sheet over the channel, a data drive electrode in crossing relationship with the channel, and a layer of electro-optic material between the data drive electrode and the cover sheet, wherein the voltage between the channel electrodes is increased to a firing voltage to create a plasma in the channel, the voltage between the channel electrodes is reduced to a sustaining voltage to sustain the plasma for an interval during which a selected drive voltage is applied to the data drive electrode to establish an electric field in the layer of electro-optic material, and the voltage between the channel electrodes is reduced to a level that is insufficient to sustain the plasma, and the improvement comprises maintaining a residual bias voltage between the channel electrodes after reducing the voltage to a level insufficient to sustain the plasma, whereby an electric field having a component parallel to the cover sheet is created in the layer of electro-optic material.