Smart safe console system

1 . A method for preventing unsafe operation of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

providing a console system mounted within the vehicle, comprising an assembly configured to be mounted within a vehicle, a safe body permanently attached to the assembly, the safe body being configured to secure an electronic device against physical access therein, the safe body comprising a tray having a spring mount, a locking mechanism, and a slot configured to accept the electronic device, the tray being sized to hold the electronic device, wherein the tray is configured to displace the slot above an opening of the safe body, the safe body having an open state and a closed state, when the electronic device is secured within the safe body,

wherein the closed state restricts physical access to the electronic device within the safe body,

wherein the open state allows physical access to the electronic device within the safe body,

wherein the safe body is in electronic communication with the electronic device, and

wherein the safe body is configured to communicate with the vehicle;

registering, by the user, the electronic device with the console system such that the electronic device and the console system are in wireless electronic communication;

placing, by the user, the electronic device within the safe body;

electrically coupling the electronic device to a charging unit of the tray;

moving the safe body into the closed position, thereby preventing the user from accessing the electronic device;

sensing, by at least one operation sensor, a sensed-condition comprising (i) the electronic device being electrically coupled to the charging unit, and (ii) the safe body being in the closed state;

detecting, by the console system, fastening a seatbelt, by the user,

transmitting a signal, from the console system to a vehicle control module, indicating that both the sensed-condition and fastening the seatbelt are satisfied; permitting driving operation of the vehicle, upon receipt of the signal by the vehicle control module.

2 . A method for promoting safe operation of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

providing a console system mounted within the vehicle, comprising an assembly configured to be mounted within a vehicle, a safe body permanently attached to the assembly, the safe body being configured to secure an electronic device against physical access therein, the safe body comprising a tray having a spring mount, a locking mechanism, and a slot configured to accept the electronic device, the tray being sized to hold the electronic device, wherein the tray is configured to displace the slot above an opening of the safe body, the safe body having an open state and a closed state, when the electronic device is secured within the safe body,

wherein the closed state restricts physical access to the electronic device within the safe body,

wherein the open state allows physical access to the electronic device within the safe body,

wherein the safe body is in electronic communication with the electronic device, and

wherein the safe body is configured to communicate with the vehicle;

registering, by a user, the electronic device with a software application in wireless electronic communication with the console system;

placing, by the user, the electronic device within the safe body;

moving the safe body into the closed position, thereby preventing the user from accessing the electronic device;

performing, by the user, a verification protocol invoked by an engager-button disposed on the safe body and executed by the software application, the verification protocol comprising at least one of: (a) a reaction-time task, (b) an audio prompt with automated analysis of speech clarity, or (c) a code-based multi-factor challenge;

transmitting a signal, from the console system to the vehicle, indicating that the electronic device is secured within the safe body;

permitting driving operation of the vehicle, upon receipt of the signal;

wherein the signal is transmitted only upon successful completion of the verification protocol.

3 . The method of claim 2 , the verification protocol comprising the step of:

fastening, by the user, a seatbelt corresponding to a driver's seat.

4 . The method of claim 2 , the verification protocol comprising the step of:

fastening, by all occupants of the vehicle, one or more seatbelts corresponding to each occupant.

5 . The method of claim 2 , the software application being configured to analyze the user's audible answers and determine if the user's speech is slurred.

6 . The method of claim 2 , the safe body further comprising a breathalyzer and the verification protocol further comprising the steps of:

blowing into the breathalyzer by the user to provide the user's BAC;

determining whether the BAC is under 0.8;

transmitting, by the electronic device, an authorization signal to the safe body;

pressing the engager-button, by the user, and in response to validation of the authorization signal, transitioning the safe body from the closed state to the open state.

7 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of permitting driving operation of the vehicle is achieved by allowing the vehicle to start.

8 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of permitting driving operation of the vehicle is achieved by allowing the vehicle to be placed into drive.

9 . The method of claim 2 , the safe body further comprising an image capture device in electronic communication therewith, the verification protocol further comprising the steps of:

presenting the driver with one or more visual stimuli;

tracking, by the image capture device, one or more eye movements of the driver in relation to the one or more visual stimuli;

assessing, via the software application performing a horizontal gaze nystagmus test, whether the user is impaired.

10 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of providing a digital report to a third party, wherein the digital report contains statistics about the operation of the vehicle.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the statistics are selected from the group consisting of: minimum speed, maximum speed, maximum audio volume, location, maximum acceleration, time of operation, and duration of operation.