Human Modeling and Simulation: Establishing Parameters for an Adjustable Notebook Computer Display

Abstract

A human simulation model was created that estimates potential locations of a notebook computer display and keyboard. The simulation model effectively addresses human anthropometric, postural, and visual preference variability. Simulation output yielded ranges of movement for a display adjustment mechanism that accommodates a potential user population while allowing for acceptable working postures. Human-subject work established postural regressions for the simulation model, validated methodology used to create the model, and determined the simulation accuracy. Simulation output of display adjustment ranges was compared against real adjustability distributions established during the human subject work. A notebook display design mechanism that implements such horizontal, vertical, and tilt adjustments should help to reduce ergonomic stressors associated with notebook computing. The research promotes the effectiveness of utilizing human simulation modeling during product development.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Ayoub

M. A.

Roberts

S. D.

(1999). How to apply computer simulation to occupational safety and health. In DiBerardinis , Handbook of Occupational Safety and Health, 2nd ed.). New York: Wiley and Sons.

Baddler

N. I.

Phillips

C. B.

Webber

B. L.

(1993). Simulating humans: Computer graphics animation and control. New York: Oxford University Press.

Cheverud

Gordon

C. C.

Walker

R. A.

Jacquish

Kohn

Moore

Yamashita

(1990). 1988 anthropometric survey of U.S. Army personnel: Correlation coefficients and regression equations (Tech. Report Natick/TR-90/033). Natick, MA: U.S. Army Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center.

Das

Sengupta

A. K.

(1995). Computer-aided human modeling programs for workstation design. Ergonomics, 38, 1958–1972.

Gordon

C. C.

Churchill

Clauser

C. E.

Bradtmiller

McConville

J. T.

Tebbetts

Walker

R. A.

(1989). 1988 Anthropometric survey of U.S. Army personnel: Methods and summary statistics (Tech. Report Natick/TR-89/044). Natick, MA: U.S. Army Natick Research, Development and Engineering Center.

Graf

Guggenbuhl

Krueger

(1995). An assessment of seated activity and postures at five workplaces. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 15, 81–90.

Harbison

Forrester

(1995). Ergonomics of notebook computers. Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand. 11, 481–487.

Hunting

Laubli

Th.

Grandjean

(1981). Postural and visual loads at VDT workplaces, I. Constrained postures. Ergonomics, 24(12), 917–931.

IDC, International Data Corporation (1999, August). Mobile portfolio team estimates. Fairfax, VA: Author.

10.

Kayis

Iskander

P. A.

(1994). A three-dimensional human model for the IBM/CATIA system. Applied Ergonomics, 26(6), 395–397.

11.

Meyer

(1996, July 15). Wanted: Your Laptop. Newsweek, 42.

12.

Price

J. M.

Dowell

W. R.

(1998). Laptop configurations in offices: Effects on posture and discomfort. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 42nd Annual Meeting, 629–633.

13.

Pustinger

Dainoff

M. J.

Smith

(1985). VDT workstation and adjustability: Effects of worker posture, productivity and health complaints. In Eberts

Eberts

, Trends in Ergonomics/Human Factors 2 (pp. 445–450). New York: Elsevier Science.

14.

Sengupta

A. K.

Das

(1997). Human: An Autocad based three dimensional anthropometric human model for workstation design. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 19, 345–352.

15.

Shröder (1997). Variations of sitting posture and physical activity in different types of school furniture. Coll. Anthropol, 21(2), 397–403.

16.

Straker

Jones

J. J.

Miller

(1997). A comparison of the postures assumed when using laptop computers and desktop computers. Applied Ergonomics, 28, 263–268.

17.

Ulin

S. S.

Armstrong

T. J.

Radwin

R. G.

(1990). Use of computer aided drafting for analysis and control of posture in manual work. Applied Ergonomics, 21(2), 143–151.

18.

Villanueva

M. B. G.

Jonai

Saito

(1998). Ergonomic aspects of portable personal computers with flat panel displays (PC-FPDs): Evaluation of posture, muscle activities, discomfort and performance. Industrial Health, 36, 282–289.