An Ergonomic Mobile Phone Design by M Ghosh.

Diagram of an ergonomic mobile phone handset (for a right handed user), all pictures designed and painted by self using Microsoft PowerPoint 2007, WINDOWS 7 Ultimate.

Front View, Lid Closed Front View, Lid Open Fig 1 Fig 2

Back View, Lid Closed

Left side view, First lid open (detached to understand better), then closed. Fig 4

Right side view, lid open (detached to understand better) Fig 5

Fig 3

Legends: A - receiver holes, B port for charger, C soft key, D - Blind bump (standard), E curved body for better grip, F key pad (situated above the display screen), I Display screen, J concave body part for better fit of the thenar part , K curve to fit hypothenar, L speaker holes, M flipopen lid, G, H pressure clasp for the lid, N slight depressions for finger grips on the back, O camera, P USB port for data transfer, Q Port for headphone, R side switch for most used function (in this case volume, ringtone, vibration etc)

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A few Ergonomic benefits of the newly designed mobile phone.

Fig 6

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Fig 8 The plane rectangular body shape of the old designs are upgraded to a palm fitting shape, making for a better grip in this design, yet thumb pain during texting cant be avoided in this.

Fig 9 This new ergonomic phone I designed for the assignment will solve both problems as it gives better grip while texting is no more painful. Plus the smaller size makes the grip easier.

Fig 10 The old designs called for gripping the mobile in such a way that it was cradled between the palm and neck for better hearing, resulting in neck pain.

Fig 11 The new design with receiver holes on the top of the phone and speaker holes on the lid allows the user to hold it straighter, and relieves neck pain.

With old designs such as these with keypad below display, we had to hold the phone like Fig 6with only the lower part of the phone lying on the palm making for a unstable grip as well as making it hard on the little and ring fingers, or we had to hold it like Fig 7, bending the thumb at an acute angle to type and thus making it hard on the thumb and the wrist and the flexor tendon and palmer fascia for the index and thumb.

Logic behind the improved design enlisted below Sr No Special Characterist ics Design of a mobile phone with the keypad positioned above the display screen. Fig. 1, 2, 4, 5, 9 Curved shape Logic behind the Special Characteristics to implement the ergonomic design The new design repositions the keypad above the screen and ensures that most of the handset rests in the palm of the hand for improved support and control. This design is more ergonomic for texting, The thumb rests in a comfortable position directly above the buttons of the keypad. The improved angle for the thumb makes it unnecessary to shift the mobile phone around in the hand while typing text. Not moving the thumb in an acute angle constantly while texting gives pain relief to the thenar muscles as well as the palmer fascia and flexor tendons attached to the index finger and thumb. The concave curvature of the lower part of the phone is to accommodate

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of the body of the phone giving it a top heavy dumbbell shaped look. Fig. 1 -3, 8, 9

the pillow of the thumb (thenar) better, as well as the hypothenar. This allows for improved grip as the phone rests comfortably in the hollow of the palm. While the convex upper part sits better on the spread fingers. The phone's gentle curve ensures a smooth and ergonomic user experience. The popular peanut shape of TV remotes etc has been tweaked for this ergonomically competent line of phone. The peanut shape is a time tested form factor that settles comfortably in both the left and right hand. More weight at the bottom provides good balance. This phone I have designed specifically for right handed persons such as myself by giving the thenar side more curve than the hypothenar. Two concave indentions on the underside of the phone will provide resting places for the fingers. Sliding the pointer and middle finger into one of these two grooves registers the thumb in one of three positions for engaging the three button groupings.

Sr No

Special Characteristics Finger grips on the back. Fig 3 Side switch for volume adjustment, on the thumb side. Fig. 3 Side ports for USB. Fig 4 Side ports for headphone and head phone. Fig 4 Flip open front lid with mouth piece and voice receiver holes on the key pad as well as the top of the phone Fig 1, 2

Logic behind the Special Characteristics to implement the ergonomic design For better grip, so that one can hold the phone casually without fear of it falling of. Keeping a death grip on the handset while talking or texting is often hard on the hand. Pressing the upper part will increase volume from mute, to vibrate to low volume high volume through gradations speaker on. Pressing the lower part will make it walk the opposite way. To transfer songs, video, picture etc. For headphone attachment. As the radiation is harmful, using headphone is always a safe bet. Ideal Headphone ear plug should be soft and comfortably fitting. A comfortable ear piece needs to have a good shape, be made of supple material and fit correctly. This is so that the user doesnt have to bend his or her neck while making a phone call, to cradle the phone for better reception of sound even without using a headset holding the phone in straight position gives relief from neck pain. The hearing is not obstructed due to the holes on the top of the phone for receiver. The flip open lid may be fitted with pressure clasp so that pressing the lid will flip it open, while it can be closed by the hand holding it pressing against the chin of the user. Standard for visually handicapped persons to navigate the keys

Blind bump on middle key Fig 1, 2, 4, 5

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Camera on back and charger insert point on top. Fig 3 Large flat display Fig 1 screen

Standard feature, placement implements best utility and serves functional purpose. Placement is such that it is not obstructed by fingers while holding the phone. Non reflective LED screen. Better suited to visual ergonomics. Color coded and oriented as standard, only placed on the top of the display screen for better access with the thumb; thus eliminating unnecessary motions that arent just repetitive theyre also wasteful and results in less fatigue at the end of the day. Two different button zones (color coded) to provide a hierarchy of button groupings for efficient locating and activation with the thumb. The First is the 12 alphanumeric keys on the upper portion, and the other is the rest of the keys mainly dealing with control function, makes for better hand eye co-ordination.S Feels better on the thumb pad and fingers. The metallic shine on many phones may look good but renders the phone slippery in sweating hand. The padded soft- rough texture of certain materials can make the grip easy and firm. Small size fitting the palm, makes it more comfortable to carry and less likely to lose. This is not a headset character but an ergonomic phone should have an ear piece that is loud and clear. The microphone will digitally enhance the sound and cancel noise, to transmit the talkers voice only.

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Keypad. Fig 1, 2

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Soft key. Fig 1, 2, 4, 5 Padded body cover of the mobile.

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compact headset

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Voice quality reception

and

Acknowledgement: Core 77 Design Magazine and Resource and PatentDesign.com

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