FR3116171A1 - mobile phone device - Google Patents

Abstract

Mobile phone device whose ergonomics facilitate gripping, manipulation of the flap, and use of the control interface. The invention relates to the architecture and ergonomics of a mobile phone, allowing easy handling, improving the speed of opening and closing the valve, limiting the risk of dropping, and offering a keyboard with dynamic display helping controlling the device. It consists of a control keyboard box (1) comprising control keys (6), a valve box (2) with a display screen (3), the two boxes being assembled via a pivot (4) . The control unit (1) has side grab handles (5), the shape of which matches that of the valve (2) facing it. The valve housing (2) has an extension covering the keyboard (1) both in thickness (8) and longitudinally (10), improving grip. The keys or active zones of the keyboard (6) have a dynamic display, for a better interface with the user. The device according to the invention is particularly intended for elderly people, or people who are not comfortable with existing smartphones and feature phones. Figure for abstract: figure 1

Description

Mobile phone device whose ergonomics facilitate gripping, manipulation of the flap, and use of the control interface.

The present invention relates to a portable telephone device, of which certain elements of geometric architecture, ergonomics, and digital functionality, allow easier opening of the valve, better grip, improved repairability, and better understanding of the control of the menus displayed, the whole being particularly adapted to the use of the telephone by the elderly (without claiming to be totally dedicated to them).

Mobile phone devices must meet a large number of complex functional requirements. Without being exhaustive, we can cite the need for compactness, lightness, sufficient size for a correctly readable menu display screen, resistance to shocks and falls and repairability in the event of damage, style and its ability to personalize , integration and fairing in confined spaces of miniaturized components and electrical power transmissions.

In particular, older users, or more generally people less accustomed to modern technologies, may have difficulty understanding the operation of a complex mobile phone. Current 'smartphones', often presenting only a large touch screen for any control interface, can confuse and repel seniors. On the other hand, simpler phones, called 'feature phones', with their conventional keypad with small overloaded analog keys, are limited in performance for displaying and managing menus and features, are less intuitive, and can be perceived as confusing or even reducers.

The ergonomics of the mobile phone also depends on how it is handled, many models being too large, too flat, too slippery, or sometimes too small, they are then experienced as uncomfortable and stressful. Elderly people can do things wrong, such as failing to answer in time and missing calls, dropping their device, pressing unprotected keys or making calls without meaning to and without realizing it.

The ambition to offer seniors a real solution to access the best features of modern telephony devices and to be connected to their loved ones and to information, encourages many telephone manufacturers to develop dedicated models, whose ergonomics are simplified. The present invention claims certain geometric and numerical characteristics which are not encountered on existing models, and go in this direction to participate in improving the accessibility of mobile phones to seniors, among other more widely addressed benefits.

We know the 'feature phones' models such as those of the NOKIA brands (models 3310, or 8110), and those particularly dedicated to seniors such as the DORO brand (for example the Primo 413 model) or SWITEL (for example the M228 model) or TELEFUNKEN (model TM 230 Cosi). They have an analog keyboard with permanent keys, and a screen either on the same keyboard block, or transferred to a pivoting flap closing on the keyboard. Despite some special features, such as memory keys for direct access to a stored contact, colored or larger keys, these telephones do not offer special ergonomics to facilitate rapid handling and opening of the cover, a grip reducing the risk of dropping the device, and their menus are often made difficult to use due to a reduced screen and a control keyboard with overloaded keys.

We know the 'Smartphone' models dedicated to seniors, such as those of the EMPORIA brand (for example the Smart 2 model), or MAXCOM (53G model), or SWITEL (eSMART M2 model), or DORO (Liberto 820 model), or MOBIHO (Smart D55 model). In summary, they have a shape similar to other smartphones, without a notable search for specific ergonomics, nor protection of the touch screen against shocks and errors, but generally offer a simplified menu grouping the functionalities into fewer categories than on other smartphones, and presented under icons with a more readable enlarged display.

We also know the classic 'Smartphones', whose flagship brands are APPLE (i-Phone models), SAMSUNG (Galaxy models), HUAWEI (P30 model), XIAOMI (Mi 9T model), OPPO (Reno models), VIVO (model V9), LENOVO (Moto G5 model). Most of these phones have a similar architecture, with a very thin case, generally large and in an assembly of very smooth plastic materials, a touch screen with as few physical keys as possible (sometimes none), and their entire interface is based on a unprotected touch screen (apart from a digital lock mode, or any additional removable shells). These phones are also often fragile (screen, casing), and difficult to repair. For elderly, unaccustomed or diminished people, their use can be extremely difficult in practice.

There are also smartphones with dual touch screens, either in concept (FUJITSU concept from 2011, or the NEC Medias W N-05E Dual Screen from 2013), or in series (SAMSUNG Galaxy Fold model, or ZTE Axon model M, or LG model G8X ThinQ Dual Screen). They can facilitate the display and make it more intuitive, with larger icons and letters, but may also confuse and worry newcomers more and complicate handling (opening, picking up a call, controlling menus).

In addition, other electronic devices can serve as a source of research and inspiration, outside the sole field of telephony. For example, portable video game consoles, such as the Nintendo 2DS then 3DS, offer a control box with analog keys, possibly backed up by a touch control screen, and a separate screen mounted on a pivoting flap that folds down on the control keyboard.

One can find many patents filed on mobile phones and other portable electronic devices, concerning their design, their geometric architecture, their control-command software, etc. However, it seems that the few improvements in geometric architecture and interface digital technology offered by this invention, which are particularly suitable for the elderly, do not yet exist in industrial use, and that they have not been filed in a prior patent detected. We can cite a few examples of patents to initiate the prior art search process, essentially relating to multi-screen architectures (EP1686768, WO2020077862, WO2018127879, WO2014169453, WO2013037215, EP1675362, WO2020014811), or to the functionality of the keyboard keys ( WO2005104657, EP2006761, EP1691533, EP2031840, WO2017050048, WO2010051449).

1. Un boîtier inférieur de commande, formant la base du téléphone que l’utilisateur prendra en mains, et pouvant être équipé de plusieurs capteurs, calculateurs et autres actionneurs (par exemple et de manière non exclusive, un microphone, une batterie électrique, la carte-mère de commande numérique, des prises de connectiques et de courant, …), le tout étant enfermé dans un carénage pour garantir une protection et un style maitrisés
2. Un clavier dit ‘dynamique’, inséré dans ce boîtier de commande. Il peut consister soit en un pavé tactile (commande au doigt ou par stylet), soit en un écran tactile, soit en des touches physiques, soit une combinaison des deux ou trois fonctions. Il sert d’interface de commande avec l’utilisateur, en lien avec l’écran d’affichage
3. Un boîtier supérieur d’affichage, muni d’un écran classique ou d’un écran tactile. Le boîtier est dessiné selon une forme particulière, permettant un chevauchement mutuel avec le boîtier clavier et avec les poignées latérales de saisie, comme il sera expliqué plus clairement un peu plus loin dans le texte. Ce boîtier d’affichage peut aussi être désigné sous le terme de clapet
4. Des poignées latérales de saisie ergonomique, soit fixes sur le boîtier clavier soit détachables, soit assemblées sur le boîtier soit solidaires d’une même pièce avec celui-ci, ou encore faites d’une même pièce passant de part et d’autre du boîtier clavier de commande et assemblée sur celui-ci
5. Une accroche pivotante assemblant le boîtier clavier de commande au boîtier clapet d’affichage, et permettant leur mouvement relatif d’ouverture-fermeture

According to a first characteristic, the device according to the invention comprises:

1. A lower control box, forming the base of the telephone that the user will hold, and which can be equipped with several sensors, computers and other actuators (for example and in a non-exclusive manner, a microphone, an electric battery, the card- digital control mother, connectors and power outlets, etc., all enclosed in a fairing to guarantee controlled protection and style
2. A so-called 'dynamic' keyboard, inserted in this control box. It can consist either of a touchpad (finger or stylus control), or of a touch screen, or of physical keys, or a combination of the two or three functions. It serves as a control interface with the user, in connection with the display screen
3. An upper display box, equipped with a classic screen or a touch screen. The casing is designed according to a particular shape, allowing a mutual overlap with the keyboard casing and with the side input handles, as will be explained more clearly a little later in the text. This display box may also be referred to as a clapper
4. Ergonomic side grips, either fixed on the keyboard case or detachable, or assembled on the case or integral with the same part with it, or even made of the same part passing on either side of the case control keyboard and assembly thereon
5. A pivoting hook assembling the control keyboard box to the display flap box, and allowing their relative opening-closing movement

In a search for ergonomics and ease of use, particularly suitable for use by the elderly (without being limited thereto), the shape and relative arrangement of the control (lower) and display (upper) boxes is essential in the present invention. The shape of the display case has an extension in its upper part, modulated in two directions. First, it exceeds the thickness of the screen and then manages, once in the closed position (movement guided via the connecting pivot between the boxes) to exactly cover the thickness of the lower control keyboard and fill the space left free by removing the control keyboard box opposite the display box. In doing so, it delimits the shape and outer size of the phone, on the top edge and on its side corners, and allows the user to lift the flip more easily and quickly by pulling it from below, and to close it too. more easily than on a conventional clamshell telephone, the two sides of which would face each other dimensionally symmetrical. On the face of the valve facing the user (presenting the display screen), this extension in thickness can advantageously serve as a support for the camera sensor for selfie mode, or even for the telephone conversation earpiece (usable only when the damper is detected open).

Secondly, this extension of the shape of the display case is also modulated longitudinally (i.e. in height, when the user looks at the screen from the front with an open flap). The extension is nil near the base on the pivot side, and maximum at the opposite end which folds over the keyboard box and overlaps it. The thickness of the extension is therefore variable between these two ends, forming a progressive bevel covering the keyboard case. This bevel may have several designs (straight line with a fixed angle, several successive straight lines with progressive angles, curved shape with one or more curvatures, etc.). Thanks to this lateral bevel, on either side of the keyboard case, the user will again be able to open and close the flap more easily by also pulling it from the sides, without inter-hit his hands between them, nor block the movement of the valve with his other hand which can hold the side handles back on their upper half near the pivot.

With this form of double covering, one then delimits longitudinal side handles on each side of the telephone. They allow better grip of the device during navigation on the menus, during the call, and better handling when opening and closing the flip case, avoiding the hands from getting in the way of each other. during the pivoting movement of the valve (typically: each hand then being on one of the two pivoting boxes during manipulations).

These side handles can be integral with the control keyboard box, or be assembled with it. They then also have a function of fairing and shock protection, especially in the event of a fall. Advantageously, these handles can be in a more resistant or more stylized material than the adjoining case (for example, not limiting: wood, rubber, colors and decorations), or even offer a shape adapted to the hands of the user to improve the gripping (for example via successive bosses and extrusions, and other grooves, instead of an excessively smooth surface). Advantageously, these handles can be removable, by means of an assembly process which is not intended to be described in the present invention (screwing, clipping, etc.). Being removable, they are thus replaceable and repairable, especially after a shock whose impact they would have limited for the device, but at the cost of possibly being damaged themselves (role of sacrificial protection).

Similarly, one can imagine in an alternative embodiment, that the extension in thickness of the screen box in its upper part is a separate and assembled part, becoming removable and repairable, or even formed in a material more resistant to shocks, in the as it is exposed in the first line if the device is dropped on the top edge.

The control box is equipped with a keypad. In a variant of execution, this keyboard is composed of physical keys with depression and analog detection, electronically connected to the motherboard. The present invention proposes keys with original functionalities for use in a telephone device, with a dynamic display of each key. The keys may display several images, numbers, letters, printing characters, icons, colors, and combinations of these elements, in a variable manner as the user navigates through the menus selected by the user. Compared to 'features phones' with a fixed analogue keyboard, this feature allows a great improvement in the interface with the user, and to dedicate each key to a unique use at all times rather than overloading it with several functions and the make it complex to handle (for example with multiple presses of a key, and in a certain rhythm, in order to reach a letter or a number).

Advantageously, the keyboard control keys may have a combination of all or part of the following functions: depression with analog detection, vibration, variable brightness, variable display of patterns (letters and print, images, icons, numbers, colours), touch detection, approach detection, all of which is adjustable and variable (intensities, colors, deactivations).

In another execution variant, the keyboard may use tactile display areas rather than delimited physical keys (or in addition). These areas can also be depressed with analog detection, like the physical keys (to help the user know that he has selected a command), or without depressing (more traditional touch screen). These active zones have the same vocation to facilitate the interface, by having the possibility of modifying the display at any time according to the need for the current menu, and by better guiding the user in his choices and manipulations thanks to a reduction of active areas and information displayed to what is strictly necessary.

Advantageously, the keyboard may have a shroud of variable thickness between the physical keys, or between the keys and the touch zones, or directly affixed to the touch zone(s). This fairing then delimits active areas of the keyboard (analog and/or tactile areas). This fairing can have a slightly variable thickness, drawing more sensitive shapes that help to guide the end of the finger of a visually impaired person or a person lacking skill, in order to recognize the area or the key and facilitate the choice of the target area to select the desired command. In another variant of execution, the keys may not be flush with the keyboard, but either protrude from it in thickness or on the contrary be depressed, or a combination of these possibilities (flush, protrusion, depression).

Thanks to these geometric and analog-digital devices, the user handles his telephone more easily, opening and closing the flip, gripping during use or wearing, menu selection and other direct functions. , or by allowing better repairability and an original and more easily customizable and modifiable style even during life.

An embodiment of the invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

is a schematic representation of the main elements used during the implementation of a variant embodiment of the device according to the invention. It shows an overview of the components and their arrangement, in the open position and three-quarter face.

is the same representation, this time from behind.

shows the device in the closed position, seen from above.

shows the device in the closed position, seen from below.

shows the device in the closed position, laid flat and seen from the side by the edge.

presents the device laid flat and seen from the side by the edge, the keyboard half-open. It shows the principle of progressive covering of the upper keyboard box on the lower control box.

shows the device seen from the side and from below, the keyboard ajar. It shows the principle of progressive overlapping of the upper keyboard box on the lower control box, both longitudinally with the side input handles, and at its top with a thick overlap delimiting the upper edge and the upper corners of the device.

shows the device from the front and completely open flat.

shows the device from the back and completely open flat.

presents the principle of dynamic display of the control keyboard. For better visibility, the screen is virtually separated from the keyboard in the image. The keyboard is shown in two examples of displays (not exhaustive), one with numbers, logos and colors, the other with logos and letters.

In this example and with reference to Figures 1 to 10, there is a control keyboard box (1), forming the lower base of the telephone apparatus, which the user will take in hand to hold the telephone in use. It contains various equipment, which the patent is not intended to list or describe (for example: battery, electronic motherboard, connectors, etc.). A display flap box (2), comprising a display screen (3), is attached to the control keyboard box (1) by means of an assembly pivot (4). The device made up of the two assembled boxes can thus open and close on itself, giving it a valve function. The display screen (3) can be touch-sensitive, or classic without touch-sensitive function.

The control keyboard unit (1) comprises an active control zone. In a first embodiment, this zone is composed of keyboard control keys (6), which are separate and analog. They sink under the pressure of the user's fingers independently, and their sinking is detected by the device's computer. Advantageously, the control keys of the keyboard (6) may have a combination of all or part of the following functions: depression with analog detection, vibration, variable brightness, variable display of patterns (letters and printed characters, images, icons , digits, colors), touch detection, proximity detection, all adjustable and variable (intensities, colors, deactivations). In other variants of execution, the zone can be a touchpad or a touch screen (both with finger and/or stylus control), or a combination of two or three of these types of interface (keys, cobblestones, screens).

The device has two side grab handles (5), each on either side of the control keyboard box (1). In a first embodiment, they are assembled to the control keyboard box (1), and removable for repair or simple exchange (for example to change color, material, shape). Their assembly is not intended to be described in the present invention, we can give classic examples (screwing, clipping). In other execution variants, these handles can be fixed and not removable. The two side grab handles (5) can also be attached to the same part with control keyboard box (1). They can also be connected to each other in the same part passing on either side of the control keyboard box (1) and assembled on it.

Starting from the base of the pivot (4) between the control keyboard box (1) and the display flap box (2), and in the longitudinal direction (or height of the telephone viewed from the front by the user), the side grab handles (5) protrude from the control keyboard housing (1) in thickness, then their thickness decreases and is canceled at the other end and a little before the end of the control keyboard housing (1). This extension covering longitudinally on the side grab handles (9) is opposite the display valve housing (2), which itself has a shape that matches this extension. Starting from its base near the pivot (4), the display flap box (2) sees its thickness eventually gradually increase as it approaches its opposite end, according to a complementary shape drawn by a longitudinal extension covering the screen box (10). The marriage of their complementary shape draws a progressive longitudinal bevel.

Another special cover is drawn at this same end located opposite the pivot (4). The control keyboard box (1) is shorter than the display flap box (2). The latter therefore protrudes longitudinally, and consists of an extension covering the thickness (8) which protrudes and encompasses the control keyboard box (1). In the non-limiting example described here, its extra thickness reaches exactly the rear face of the control keyboard housing (1), and therefore delimits the edge of the device.

Some of the classic equipment of modern telephones can be advantageously integrated into this extension at the end of the display flap housing (2). This could be the front camera on one side, the 'Selfie' camera on the other side and above the display screen (3), or the conversation earpiece on this same side.

Thanks to these devices according to the invention, the ergonomics of the telephone apparatus is improved, especially for the elderly, seniors or those who are not comfortable handling existing telephones. The shape of relative bevel of overlap between the control keyboard box (1) and the display valve box (2), allows the user to open and close the valve more easily by having a much larger surface of gripping the valve to lift it, and this in a relative sliding limiting the discomfort of the hands between them or vis-à-vis the device in opening-closing movement. The side grab handles (5) also contribute to this improved ergonomics, both when opening and closing and also during navigation within the menus or during calls, by improving grip and limiting the risk of slipping or letting go. The handles can also be used as a shock absorber, and in the case where they are removable by disassembly they allow repairability, or even a change of style and comfort.

Thanks to the dynamic display offered by the control keys of the keyboard (6), navigation in the menus is made easier, each key displaying a function strictly adapted to the current need, or even being deactivated to limit confusion. Their ability to display many patterns also makes it easier for the user to understand. Their ability to combine several functions when they are entered (depression, vibration, brightness and colors, patterns, touch or approach detection, adjustable and deactivatable), makes the interface more intuitive.

By way of non-limiting example, the control keyboard box (1) could have a length (or height) of 10cm, a thickness of 8mm, a width of 80mm side grab handles (6) included (each 1cm wide ). The display flap box (2) could have a length of 11cm, therefore covering the control keyboard box (1) which is shorter, and a thickness of 6mm (outside the thick extension zone (8) and longitudinally (10), which is intended to join the rear face of the control keyboard box (1), therefore to have a thickness of 16mm in this example). The progressive longitudinal bevel between the side grab handles (5) and the display valve box (2) could follow an angle of 45°, its extreme base being set back 1.5cm from the upper end of the box control keyboard (1). The analog control keys could be 17 in number as in the example shown here, but there are endless possibilities as to their number, shape or size. For information, not significant in the present invention, the mass of the device could be around 250 to 300 grams.

The device according to the invention is therefore very favorably intended for elderly seniors who have difficulty using conventional telephones and modern smartphones available on the market. Thanks to its improved ergonomics, and to the simplifying functionalities allowed by its keyboard with dynamic display and commands, the manipulation of the device is more accessible, and the navigation in the menus and various commands is more manageable by a large panel of users of the telephone device.

The solutions claimed in this document may be sustainable in the medium and long term, and may have an industrial application on a global scale. The main objective is to protect the investments and the activity of a company that would use this patent to develop a telephone suitable for seniors, knowing that this industrial sector of the mobile telephone is very competitive, and subject to copies without qualms in many countries with global ambitions.

Claims (7)

Portable telephony device, characterized in that it comprises a control keyboard box (1), to which is assembled in a pivot connection (4) a display valve box (2) comprising the display screen (3), and characterized in that it has two lateral grab handles (5) on either side of the control keyboard box (1). Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the lateral grab handles (5) are removable, allowing them to be exchanged for a variety of styles and ergonomics, or even to be replaced by new ones in the event of subsequent degradation, for example non-limiting, to a fall or in case of wear. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the lateral grab handles (5) have, in the longitudinal direction, a thickness in the form of a progressive bevel nested in the complementary bevel shape of the valve housing display (2), the whole facilitating the opening-closing manipulation of the valve. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the display flap box (2) has a width less than or equal to the sum of the widths of the control keyboard box (1) and of the lateral input handles ( 5) on either side, and allowing the side grab handles (5) to have a thickness greater than that of the control keyboard box (1), and favorably to have a thickness which exactly joins the rear face of the display flap housing (2) when the latter is closed on the control keyboard housing (1). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the display flap housing (2) has a length greater than that of the control keyboard housing (1), and therefore exceeds it once in the closed flap position, and that the top of the display valve box (2) has a greater thickness than it is on the rest of the component, a thickness which favorably allows it to join exactly the rear face of the control keyboard box (1) in position closed, the whole facilitating the manipulation of opening-closing of the valve. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it has control keys of the keyboard (6), analog or digital, fixed or pressed, capable of digitally displaying several variable configurations, combinations of all or part of the typologies among numbers, letters, print, logos or icons, images, colors and luminosity, and that this display is dynamic, that is to say variable according to the current need of the command menu, or can be deactivated . Device according to Claim 6, characterized in that it has control keys of the keyboard (6) also having simultaneously the functions of depression and depression detection, detection of tactile pressure or proximity, vibration, with variable brightness, all of these functions being adjustable and deactivatable independently.