Ergonomic Position Detector for Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of smartphones and other portable devices often engage in poor ergonomic positions while using these devices, leading to discomfort, injury, and conditions like Carpal Tunnel syndrome due to restricted hand and body positioning, which existing technologies fail to address in real-time.

Innovation Solution

A computerized method and system that uses sensory data from mobile devices to detect and compare user hand movements against a knowledge base of problematic ergonomic patterns, alerting users to switch to safer positions and providing recommendations to prevent injury.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users operate hand-held mobile devices in small, portable form-factors, then convenience and portability are improved, but ergonomic positioning deteriorates leading to discomfort and injury

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidergonomic injury

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors user hand movements and device positioning using sensors, compares actual positioning against ergonomic guidelines, and provides real-time feedback through alerts and notifications to guide users toward safer positions, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to user behavior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical ergonomic design constraints with software-based detection and guidance systems, using sensors, processors, and communication modules to monitor and advise on positioning rather than relying solely on physical device design limitations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If real-time monitoring of user hand movements is implemented, then ergonomic safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveergonomic injury preventionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system leverages existing multi-functional mobile device components (sensors, processors, communication modules) to perform ergonomic monitoring, allowing these components to serve both their original purposes and the new ergonomic detection function, thereby minimizing additional complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device monitors and alerts its own user about ergonomic positioning issues, making the system self-contained and eliminating the need for external monitoring equipment, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10694017B2Ergonomic position detector

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 KYNDRYL INC

AI summary

Embodiments detect problematic ergonomic positions and movement patterns for a user physically operating a hand-held mobile device as a function of sensory data, via comparing current user ergonomic movement pattern to knowledge base activity movements labeled as problematic ergonomic movements. Thus, in response to determining that a user ergonomic movement pattern matches a labeled hand movements, the embodiments drive communication component of the mobile device to alert the user of engaging the device in a problematic ergonomic movement, and recommend an alternative ergonomic position for use in engaging the device.