Display panels and methods and apparatus for driving the same

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for mitigating or substantially eliminating pixel burn-in on phosphor-based display panels. A visual display includes a display installation and a computer. The display installation may include a display panel having including a plurality of pixels each with a bit depth and an interface for receiving a video input and for driving the display panel. The computer is configured to determine a primary burn value for each of the pixels for a primary period of time, and to determine a secondary burn value for each of the pixels for a secondary period of time. The computer determines the secondary burn values such that when a pixel is driven at the secondary burn value thereof for the secondary period of time, an average value of the pixel for the primary and secondary periods of time is approximately equal to one-half of the bit depth of the pixel.

1 .- 17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . A method for controlling a display panel including a plurality of pixels each having a bit depth, the method comprising: 
 monitoring an image history of the pixels during an active burn mode;    identifying a pixel that has been burned at a greater degree than a number of other pixels; and    determining a number of pixels that have been burned at a lesser degree than the identified pixel.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising causing the display panel to be driven during a reverse burn mode such that the number of pixels that have been burned at a lesser degree are burned to reduce the burn difference between each of the number of pixels and the identified pixel.  
   
   
       20 . (canceled)