System and method for enabling safe hands-free operation of a wireless telephone in a vehicle

A wireless telephone system comprising:

• a location system adapted to generate a first location information pinpointing a first location of a wireless telephone and a second location information pinpointing a second location of a vehicle;
• a microprocessor adapted to determine a relationship between the first location and the second location, wherein if the relationship satisfies a predetermined condition, the microprocessor disables one of the wireless telephone and the vehicle;
• and
• a first mating unit associated with the wireless telephone and a second mating unit associated with the vehicle, wherein when the first mating unit and the second mating unit are united, the microprocessor enables normal operation of the vehicle, and wherein the wireless telephone is enabled to operate in a hands-free mode.

A wireless telephone system comprising:

• a first mating unit associated with a wireless telephone;
• a second mating unit associated with a vehicle, wherein the second mating unit is adapted to unite with the first mating unit;
• a transceiver associated with the vehicle, wherein the transceiver creates an interference disabling the wireless telephone when a predetermined condition is satisfied and when the first mating unit and the second mating unit are not united;
• and
• a speaker associated with one of the wireless telephone and the vehicle, wherein the speaker is adapted to output sound signals received by the wireless telephone during a hands-free mode when the first mating unit and the second mating unit are united.

A method for using a wireless telephone in a vehicle comprising the steps of:

• monitoring a relationship between the wireless telephone and the vehicle;
• determining whether the relationship constitutes an unsafe condition for simultaneous operation of the wireless telephone and the vehicle;
• disabling one of the wireless telephone and the vehicle if the unsafe condition exists and a first mating unit associated with the wireless telephone is not united with a second mating unit associated with the vehicle;
• and
• enabling normal operation of the vehicle and limiting operation of the wireless telephone to a hands-free mode when the first mating unit and the second mating unit are united.

A method for using a wireless telephone in a vehicle comprising the steps of:

• detecting signals transmitted by the wireless telephone by a transceiver associated with the vehicle;
• using the signals detected to determine whether the wireless telephone is located within the vehicle;
• creating an interference to disrupt wireless communication of the wireless telephone if the wireless telephone is located with the vehicle;
• and
• limiting operation of the wireless telephone to a hands-free mode when the first mating unit of the wireless telephone and a second mating unit of the vehicle are united.

A method for using a wireless telephone in a vehicle comprising the steps of:

• determining the presence of the wireless telephone within the vehicle;
• preventing the vehicle from moving if the wireless telephone is engaged in a wireless communication session;
• disabling the wireless telephone if the vehicle is moving;
• and
• enabling normal operation of the vehicle and allowing operation of the wireless telephone if a first mating unit of the wireless telephone and a second mating unit of the vehicle are united.