System and method for selectively restricting in-vehicle mobile device usage

A computer-implemented method for restricting operation of a mobile device, the method comprising:

• employing with one or more processors a restriction at the mobile device, the restriction dictating at least one operation state of the mobile device;
• wherein an employment of the restriction configures the mobile device to operate in a manner that impedes unauthorized operation of the mobile device moreso than authorized operation;
• and
• wherein the authorized operation comprises operation of the mobile device within a defined orientation and the unauthorized operation comprises operation of the mobile device outside of the defined orientation.

A computer implemented method for restricting operation of a first mobile device within a moving vehicle, the method comprising:

• determining that the first mobile device is present within the vehicle;
• based on the determining, employing, with one or more processors, a restriction at the first mobile device, the restriction dictating an operation state of the first mobile device, the operation state being operative to configure the first mobile device to restrict at least one of:
• (a) a functionality of the first mobile device to initiate a telephone call;
• (b) a functionality of the first mobile device to receive a telephone call;
• (c) a functionality of the first mobile device to display a text message;
• (d) a functionality of the first mobile device to compose a text message;
• (e) a functionality of the first mobile device to execute one or more applications;
• and
• (f) a functionality of the first mobile device to send or receive data;
• and
• wherein the restriction is employed based on at least one of:
• (a) a determination that the first mobile device is not oriented in a substantially upright orientation;
• (b) a determination that the first mobile device is not operating in landscape mode;
• and
• (c) a determination that the first mobile device is not oriented substantially horizontally.

A computer implemented method for restricting operation of a first mobile device with a central machine, the first mobile device being present within a moving vehicle, the method comprising:

• employing a restriction in relation to the first mobile device, the restriction dictating an operation state of the first mobile device;
• receiving a plurality of audio inputs;
• analyzing the audio inputs with one or more processors to identify an audio signature for each of the audio inputs;
• comparing each of the audio signatures with one another to determine one or more similarities between respective audio signatures;
• computing, based on the one or more similarities, a determination of a presence of two or more distinct voices among the plurality of audio inputs;
• and
• modifying an employment of the restriction based on the determination.