METHOD FOR DRIVING PLASMA DISPLAY PANEL

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve problems of wasteful power consumption, resulting rise of cell temperature, and furthermore, shortening of cell life, caused by production of reactive power by reactive current which does not contribute to light emission. SOLUTION: This method includes: a pixel data writing process for selectively setting discharge cells to light emitting states by sequentially applying a scanning pulse to a pair of line electrodes X, Y and applying a pixel data pulse to each of column electrodes D1 to Dm by synchronizing with its application timing; and a light emission maintenance process for discharging only discharge cells at the light emitting states by applying a maintenance pulse to the pair of line electrodes X, Y for the predetermined number of times, and these processes are implemented. In the method, a potential of an electrode to which no maintenance pulse is applied in the light emission maintenance process of the pair of line electrodes X, Y is set at 0V, and an offset potential within a range of quarter to three-quarters of the potential of the maintenance pulse is applied to each of the column electrodes D1 to Dm in the light emission maintenance process. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI