Patent Publication Number: US-7595772-B2

Title: Plasma display panel method and apparatus for preventing after-image on the plasma display panel

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/425,541, filed Apr. 28, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,740, which claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2002-0033202 filed on Jun. 14, 2002 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   (a) Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a plasma display panel apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an after-image prevention apparatus and method for a plasma display panel, and a plasma display panel apparatus including the after-image prevention apparatus. 
   (b) Description of the Related Art 
   In general, displaying a bright picture for an extended period can make a brightness difference between display and non-display areas on a plasma display panel due to degradation of the fluorescent material, and it can cause an after-image to remain on the screen, as in a cathode ray tube. 
   To prevent the after-image phenomenon, the conventional methods separate a still picture from a moving picture, and for a long-term display of the still picture, invert the image or lower the brightness of the screen. These methods are, however, problematic in that the screen appears different or the image appears immersed in a dark screen. 
   Another conventional method involves calculating an average signal level by frames for frame-based brightness control. This method requires expensive frame memories and displays only pixels of a defined area with a high brightness for an extended period, causing an after-image phenomenon or degradation. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention an after-image prevention apparatus and method for a plasma display panel is provided. The plasma display panel apparatus has an after-image prevention apparatus that prevents an after-image remaining on a plasma display panel when the plasma display panel apparatus displays a still picture for an extended period, or data of a specific area of a moving picture with a high brightness for an extended period. 
   In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an after-image prevention method for a plasma display panel that is to prevent an after-image on the plasma display panel including a plurality of address electrodes and a plurality of scan and sustain electrodes arranged in pairs and in a zigzag pattern. An average signal level of each cell is calculated until the current frame from currently input picture data, and an average signal level of each cell until the previous frame as stored in a memory section. The calculated average signal level is compared with the picture data to determine the difference between the average signal level and the picture data. An attenuation coefficient corresponding to the difference is output. The picture data is multiplied by the attenuation coefficient to output correction data. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an after-image prevention apparatus for a plasma display panel that is to prevent an after-image on the plasma display panel having a plurality of address electrodes and a plurality of scan and sustain electrodes arranged in pairs and in a zigzag pattern. The apparatus includes a memory section for storing an average signal level of each cell of the plasma display panel. An average signal level calculator calculates a current average signal level from externally applied picture data, and an average signal level of each cell until the previous frame as stored the memory section. A comparator compares the picture data with the average signal level of each cell output from the average signal level calculator to determine the difference between the picture data and the average signal level, and outputs an attenuation coefficient corresponding to the difference. A multiplier multiplies the picture data by the attenuation coefficient. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plasma display panel apparatus having a plasma display panel having a plurality of address electrodes and a plurality of scan and sustain electrodes arranged in pairs and in a zigzag pattern. A controller processes an externally applied picture signal to output picture data, measures a load factor of the picture signal, and outputs sustain discharge information corresponding to the measured load factor. An after-image prevention controller calculates an average signal level of each cell until the current frame from the picture data output from the controller, and an average signal level until the previous frame, comparing the calculated average signal level with the picture data, and multiplying the picture data by an attenuation coefficient corresponding to the difference between the average signal level and the picture data to output correction data. An address data generator generates address data corresponding to the correction data and applies the generated address data to the address electrodes of the plasma display panel. A sustain/scan pulse generator generates sustain and scan pulses corresponding to the sustain discharge information output from the controller and applies the generated sustain and scan pulses to the sustain and scan electrodes, respectively. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic of a plasma display panel apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic of an after-image prevention apparatus for a plasma display panel in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an average signal level according to the number of samples. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic of an after-image prevention apparatus for a plasma display panel in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5   a  is a diagram showing an example of an area defined in the after-image prevention apparatus for a plasma display panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5   b  is a diagram showing another example of an area defined in the after-image prevention apparatus for a plasma display panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  is a schematic of a plasma display panel apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the plasma display panel apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes plasma display panel  100 , controller  300 , address data generator  200 , sustain/scan pulse generator  400 , and after-image prevention controller  500 . Plasma display panel  100  includes a plurality of address electrodes and a plurality of scan and sustain electrodes arranged in pairs and in a zigzag pattern. Controller  300  performs gamma correction and image processing of an externally applied picture signal, measures a load factor of the picture signal, and generates sustain discharge information corresponding to the measured load factor. After-image prevention controller  500  calculates an average signal level of each pixel until the current frame from the picture data output from controller  300 , and an average signal level until the previous frame, compares the calculated average signal level with the picture data, and multiplies the picture data by an attenuation coefficient corresponding to the difference between the average signal level and the picture data, to output correction data. Address data generator  200  generates address data corresponding to the correction data of after-image prevention controller  500 , and applies them to the address electrodes of plasma display panel  100 . Sustain/scan pulse generator  400  generates sustain and scan pulses corresponding to the sustain discharge information of controller  300 , and applies them to the sustain and scan electrodes, respectively. 
     FIG. 2  is a schematic of the after-image prevention apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the inner construction of after-image prevention controller  500  of  FIG. 1  is illustrated. Referring to  FIG. 2 , after-image prevention controller  500  includes memory section  510 , average signal level calculator  520 , comparator  530 , and multiplier  540 . Memory section  510  stores the average signal levels of the respective cells of the plasma display panel apparatus. Average signal level calculator  520  calculates an average signal level of each pixel until the current frame from externally applied picture data and an average signal level of each pixel until the previous frame as stored in the memory section. Comparator  530  compares the picture data with the average signal level of each pixel output from average signal level calculator  520  to calculate the difference between the picture data and the average signal level and outputs an attenuation coefficient corresponding to the difference. Multiplier  540  multiplies the picture data by the attenuation coefficient. 
   Now, a detailed description will be given as to the operation of the after-image prevention apparatus and method for a plasma display panel, and to a plasma display panel apparatus having the after-image prevention apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 
   First, an externally applied picture signal including R, G, and B components is fed into controller  300 . 
   Controller  300  performs gamma correction and image processing on the picture signal, and measures the load factor of the R, G, and B components. Then controller  300  generates sustain discharge pulse information corresponding to the measured load factor. 
   On receiving the sustain discharge information, sustain/scan pulse generator  400  generates sustain and scan pulses corresponding to the load factor and applies them to the sustain and scan electrodes, respectively. 
   After-image prevention controller  500  receives image-processed picture data D n  from controller  300  and performs after-image prevention control, which will now be described. 
   The average signal level calculator  520  reads out average signal level Al n−1  of each cell until the previous frame from first memory  511  and operates them with each cell of input picture data D n  to calculate average signal level AL n  of each cell until the current frame, according to the following equation:
 
 AL   n   =βD   n   +γAL   n−1   Equation 1
 
where β and γ are variable and are given by the following equation, in the embodiment of the present invention:
 
 AL   n =(1 /N ) D   n +(( N− 1)/ N ) AL   n−1   Equation 2
 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , when the number of samples N is excessively small, the average signal level sensitively varies with respect to the picture data; otherwise, when the number of samples N is excessively large, the average signal level changes little so it is difficult to determine. Preferably, the number of samples N is 2 m  (m is zero or a natural number) in consideration of the processing speed. 
   By using Equation 2, it is only necessary to use line memories  511  and  512  having small capacities instead of a frame memory having a large capacity, thereby reducing the required memory capacity and increasing the processing speed. In the early stage, a time period is needed to approach the average signal level, during which comparator  530  outputs the attenuation coefficient a as “1”. 
   Subsequently, average signal level calculator  520  stores the calculated average signal level in second memory  512 . Here, memory section  510  includes first and second memories  511  and  512 , which operate alternately. For example, when first memory  511  is in the read mode for the n-th frame, second memory  512  is in the write mode; and when first memory  511  is in the write mode for the (n+1)-th frame, second memory  512  is in the read mode. 
   Once average signal level AL n  is calculated, comparator  530  compares picture data D n  with average signal level AL n  to calculate the difference between the picture data and the average signal value and outputs attenuation coefficient α according to the difference. Attenuation coefficient α is determined as follows. 
   Comparator  530  stores reference average signal level AL MAX  that represents a possible appearance of an after-image phenomenon, and which is determined by an experiment carried out beforehand. 
   Comparator  530  checks whether or not input average signal level AL n  is greater than reference average signal level AL MAX . When average signal level AL n  is less than reference average signal level AL MAX , comparator  530  outputs attenuation coefficient α as “1”; otherwise, when average signal level AL n  is not less than reference average signal level AL MAX , comparator  530  compares average signal level AL n  with picture data D n . 
   When the brightness level of picture data D n  is less than average signal level AL n , comparator  530  outputs attenuation coefficient α as “1”. 
   When the brightness level of picture data D n  is greater than average signal level AL n , comparator  530  outputs attenuation coefficient α as a value of less than 1 and that is inversely proportional to the difference between the brightness level of picture data D n  and average signal level AL n . Namely, attenuation coefficient α has a value of less than 1, said value decreasing with an increase in the difference between the brightness level of picture data D n  and average signal level AL n . Attenuation coefficient α may be changed in its variations and it may be defined in a predetermined range. 
   Once attenuation coefficient α is determined, multiplier  540  multiplies picture data D n  by attenuation coefficient α and outputs correction data D n ′. 
   Address data generator  200  generates address data corresponding to correction data D n ′ output from multiplier  540  of after-image prevention controller  500 , then plasma display panel  100  displays the picture data. 
   The above procedures are performed for all pixels, so that the user can see the screen displayed without an after-image phenomenon. 
   But there are some cases where the after-image phenomenon is actually problematic only in a certain part of information constituting a screen. Accordingly, after-image prevention control only for the certain part of the screen is very desirable in the aspect of the processing speed, which will be described by way of a second embodiment as follows. 
     FIG. 4  is a schematic of an after-image prevention apparatus for a plasma display panel in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5   a  is a diagram showing an example of an area defined in the after-image prevention apparatus for a plasma display panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5   b  is a diagram showing another example of an area defined in the after-image prevention apparatus for a plasma display panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
   The second embodiment is different in the construction of after-image prevention controller  500  from the first embodiment. The same numerals are assigned to the same components, and a different numeral is assigned only to the additional component. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , the after-image prevention apparatus for a plasma display panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes area sensor  550 , memory section  510 , average signal level calculator  520 , comparator  530  and multiplier  540 . Area sensor  550  senses the area of picture data D n  and determines whether or not the picture data area is an area predefined for after-image control. Memory section  510  stores the average signal level of each cell of the plasma display panel apparatus. Average signal level calculator  520  calculates the current average signal level from picture data D n  and the average signal level until the previous frame as stored in memory section  510 , when picture data D n  belongs to the after-image control area. In such a case where picture data D n  is included in the after-image control area, comparator  530  compares the picture data with the average signal level of each cell output from average signal level calculator  520  to calculate the difference between the picture data and the average signal level and generates an attenuation coefficient corresponding to the calculated difference. When picture data D n  is not included in the after-image control area, comparator  530  outputs attenuation coefficient α of “1”. Multiplier  540  multiplies the picture data by attenuation coefficient α. 
   Now, a detailed description will be given as to the operation of the after-image prevention apparatus and method for a plasma display panel, and a plasma display panel apparatus having the after-image prevention apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same components as in the first embodiment will not be described in detail. 
   First, upon receiving externally applied picture data, controller  300  performs image processing on the picture data, measures the load factor, and generates sustain discharge pulse information corresponding to the measured load factor. 
   Sustain/scan pulse generator  400  receives the sustain discharge information, generates sustain and scan pulses corresponding to the load factor and applies the generated sustain and scan pulses to the sustain and scan electrodes, respectively. 
   After-image prevention controller  500  receives picture data D n  image-processed by controller  300 , and performs after-image prevention control, which will now be described. 
   Area sensor  550  senses a predefined area of picture data D n  to generate an area sensing signal. The area is predicted or predefined by an experiment as illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b.    
   Average level calculator  520  calculates only average signal level AL n  of the defined area, excluding the non-defined area, according to the area sensing signal. 
   On receiving the area sensing signal, comparator  530  outputs attenuation coefficient α as “1” for the non-defined area. For the defined area, comparator  530  compares picture data D n  with average signal level AL n  to calculate the difference between the picture data and the average signal level, and outputs attenuation coefficient α according to the difference. The procedures of determining attenuation coefficient α are performed in the same manner as described in the first embodiment. 
   Once attenuation coefficient α is determined, multiplier  540  multiplies picture data D n  by attenuation coefficient α to output correction data D n ′. Address data generator  200  generates address data corresponding to correction data D n ′ and applies the generated address data to the address electrode lines. The picture data is then displayed on a specific area of plasma display panel  100  without an after-image phenomenon. 
   The second embodiment is advantageous in after-image prevention on a specific area of the screen, and it is especially preferable for use in a specific pattern such as displaying the time or a phrase on a specific area of the screen. 
   Such after-image prevention control can be realized with the area sensor and the comparator without the average signal level calculator, which will be described by way of a third embodiment as follows. 
   The area sensing signal output from area sensor  550  is fed into the comparator, which outputs an attenuation coefficient that is “1” for a non-predefined area and a predetermined value for the predefined area. After a lapse of a predetermined time period, the after-image control is not performed. Additionally, after another lapse of the predetermined time period, the after-image control is resumed. 
   The third embodiment of the present invention can be readily realized by those skilled in the art and will not be described further with reference to the drawings. 
   While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 
   As described above, the embodiment of the present invention lowers the brightness of an input still image of a high brightness that is greater than a predetermined level without performing after-image control on the dark screen and performs after-image prevention control on a specific interval of a moving picture that is susceptible to the after-image phenomenon, thereby preventing an after-image from remaining on the plasma display panel to increase the use life of the plasma display panel. 
   Furthermore, the present invention calculates the average signal level and compares the data of each pixel for all frames, thereby readily determining whether the picture data is a still picture or a moving picture.