Abstract:
An electronic system includes an electronic apparatus and a portable electronic apparatus detachably provided to the electronic apparatus. The portable electronic apparatus includes a display portion equipped with a touch panel detecting an instruction from an operator and a first controller notifying the instruction detected by the touch panel, to the electronic apparatus; and the electronic apparatus comprises multiple audio units that can output an audio signal respectively and independently and a second controller controlling the multiple audio units according to a notification by the first controller.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to an electronic system having an electronic apparatus mounted in a vehicle and a portable electronic apparatus attachable and detachable to and from the electronic apparatus. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    As conventional navigation apparatuses, there are widely known small-sized portable navigation apparatuses with simplified structure and portability (hereinafter, referred to as Portable Navi), also known as PND (Personal Navigation Device); and in-vehicle navigation apparatuses accommodated and fixed in a recess portion (DIN opening) formed in a dashboard of a vehicle. The in-vehicle navigation apparatuses are capable of guiding with high accuracy by use of the information supplied from vehicles such as vehicle speed, and some of the in-vehicle navigation apparatuses are equipped with audio devices. 
         [0005]    In recent years, the navigation apparatuses with portability of the Portable Navi and high-accuracy guide function of the in-vehicle navigation apparatus have been studied. 
         [0006]    Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-318792, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-328026, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-524570, and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-239895 disclose a configuration where a navigation portion can be detached from an in-vehicle apparatus mounted in a vehicle. By removing the navigation portion from the in-vehicle apparatus, the navigation portion can be used as a Portable Navi of a single unit. 
         [0007]    Also, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-166848, the navigation apparatus is taken out of the vehicle and can be used while walking. In addition, when mounted in a vehicle, the navigation apparatus is in a car-navigation mode, and when taken out of the vehicle, the navigation apparatus is in a person-navigation mode. 
         [0008]    Further, United States Patent Publication No. 2002/0152027 discloses a technique of displaying a display screen by means of the control of the in-vehicle apparatus, when the Portable Navi is attached to the in-vehicle apparatus. 
         [0009]    However, the electronic apparatus mounted in a vehicle and an electronic system that includes a portable electronic apparatus detachably provided to the electronic apparatus leave room for improving user friendliness. For example, if the portable electronic apparatus is equipped with a touch panel and the electronic apparatus is operable by operating the touch panel, the operation performance will be further improved. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and provides an electronic system, an electronic apparatus, and a method of operating audio units, in which the operability is enhanced. 
         [0011]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic system including an electronic apparatus and a portable electronic apparatus detachably provided to the electronic apparatus, and the portable electronic apparatus includes a display portion equipped with a touch panel detecting an instruction from an operator and a first controller notifying the instruction detected by the touch panel, to the electronic apparatus; and the electronic apparatus comprises multiple audio units that can output an audio signal respectively and independently and a second controller controlling the multiple audio units according to a notification by the first controller. As described, the electronic apparatus includes a display portion having a touch panel and the audio units of the electronic apparatus can be operated with the touch panel, thereby improving the operability of the electronic apparatus. Also, the electronic apparatus can be operated from the touch panel of the portable electronic apparatus, thereby reducing the number of the operation buttons provided in the electronic apparatus side. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus that is detachably provided with a portable electronic apparatus having a touch panel and that can output an audio signal, and when receiving an instruction detected by the touch panel from the portable electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus controls the audio signal based on the instruction. Accordingly, the audio signal of the electronic apparatus can be operated with the touch panel of the portable electronic apparatus. 
         [0013]    According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating audio units, by which multiple audio units equipped in an electronic apparatus are operated by a portable electronic apparatus to be detachably provided to the electronic apparatus, and the method includes: detecting an instruction from an operator with a touch panel equipped in the portable electronic apparatus; sending the instruction detected to the electronic apparatus; and controlling the multiple audio units according to the instruction sent. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings, wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1A  shows an exterior view of an in-vehicle system and FIG, and  FIG. 1B  shows a state where a portable apparatus is detached from an in-vehicle apparatus; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows a front face portion of the in-vehicle apparatus, from which the portable apparatus is removed; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a view showing a state of tilting the front face portion against the main body of the in-vehicle apparatus to expose a CD insertion/ejection slot; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  shows a state of mounting the in-vehicle system in a vehicle; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  shows a configuration of the in-vehicle system; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  shows a configuration of a detecting circuit; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  shows a configuration of the front face portion; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8A  through  FIG. 8C  show display examples of the portable apparatus attached to a main body; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9A  shows a front view, top view, bottom view, left-side view, and right-side view of the portable apparatus, and  FIG. 9B  is a back view of the portable apparatus; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10A  through  FIG. 10C  show operation methods of an audio unit; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing a procedure of a controller of the in-vehicle apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    A description will now be given, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
       Embodiment 
       [0027]      FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  show exterior views of an in-vehicle system  1 , as an example of an electronic system. As shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , the in-vehicle system  1  is composed of: an in-vehicle apparatus  100  (electronic apparatus); and a portable apparatus  10  (portable apparatus) with navigation capabilities. The portable apparatus  10  can be used after being attached at a front face portion  120  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1A , and can be also used after being detached from the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1B . 
         [0028]    The in-vehicle apparatus  100  is capable of playing radio broadcasting or playing music data recorded on a memory medium such as a CD (Compact Disc) or the like, and the in-vehicle apparatus  100  includes: an in-vehicle apparatus main body  110  having a CD player and a CD insertion/ejection slot; and the front face portion  120  having a display portion  131  and an operating portion (main operating portion)  132 . 
         [0029]    The portable apparatus  10  has navigation capabilities of searching for a guiding path to a destination and displaying the searched guiding path over a map. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows the front face portion  120  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , from which the portable apparatus  10  is removed. There is provided a attaching portion  170  in which a recess portion is defined for attaching the portable apparatus  10 , at the front face portion  120  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100 . The attaching portion  170  is provided with: a connector  150  (housing portion side connector) for electrically coupling the in-vehicle apparatus  100  and the portable apparatus  10 ; and a lock mechanism (not shown) for securing the portable apparatus  10  to the front face portion  120 . When a detach button  160  provided at the front face portion  120  is operated, a lock mechanism, not shown, is unlocked and the portable apparatus  10  is detachable from the in-vehicle apparatus  100 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  shows a state of tilting the front face portion  120  against the in-vehicle apparatus main body  110  to expose a CD insertion/ejection slot  180 . 
         [0032]    By driving a slider  181  shown in  FIG. 3  with a drive mechanism, not shown, the front face portion  120  can be tilted against the in-vehicle apparatus main body  110 . By tilting operation, the CD insertion/ejection slot  180  provided in the in-vehicle apparatus main body  110  is exposed, so a CD can be inserted or ejected. There is provided an operation button (a tilt/eject button  132   a  shown in  FIG. 7 ), at the front face portion  120  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , and a tilt angle can be set according to the operation of the button. 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  illustrates an example of mounting the in-vehicle system  1  in a vehicle. 
         [0034]    The in-vehicle system  1  is disposed in a dashboard portion substantially in the middle of a front-passenger&#39;s seat  51  and a driver&#39;s seat  52 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , for example. 
         [0035]    Here, a GPS (Global Positioning System) antenna, not shown, of a GPS information receiver  133  is located on the dashboard or attached at an inner side of a front glass. 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the in-vehicle system  1 . 
         [0037]    The in-vehicle apparatus  100  and the portable apparatus  10  are electrically connected by connectors. The connector  150  is provided at the in-vehicle apparatus  100  side, and a connector  30  (portable apparatus side connector) is provided at the portable apparatus  10 . By connecting the connectors  150  and  30 , various signals are sent and received between the in-vehicle apparatus  100  and the portable apparatus  10  to function as the in-vehicle system  1 . The connectors  150  and  30  are respectively provided with power supply terminals for supplying power to the portable apparatus  10  from the battery of the vehicle. When the portable apparatus  10  is connected to the in-vehicle apparatus  100  and the power is supplied to the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , the power is also supplied to the portable apparatus  10  via the power supply terminals. 
         [0038]    Also, at a connecting portion connecting the in-vehicle apparatus  100  and the portable apparatus  10 , there is provided a detecting circuit  200  detecting whether or not the portable apparatus  10  is connected to the in-vehicle apparatus  100 .  FIG. 6  shows a configuration of the detecting circuit  200 . 
         [0039]    When the portable apparatus  10  is connected to a power line  220  for supplying power to the portable apparatus  10 , a transistor  210  turns on. Accordingly, when the portable apparatus  10  is connected to the power line  220 , a signal of 3.3 V is output to a controller  140  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100 . Also, when the portable apparatus  10  is removed from the power line  220 , the transistor  210  turns off. Then, a signal of 0 V is output to the controller  140  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100 . 
         [0040]    When the output voltage of 3.3 V is sensed at a portable apparatus sensing terminal connecting the transistor  210  and the controller  140 , the controller  140  senses as a connected state. When 0 V is sensed, the controller  140  senses as an unconnected state. 
         [0041]    The in-vehicle apparatus  100  is provided with: the display portion  131 ; the operating portion  132 ; the GPS information receiver  133 ; a radio receiver  134 ; a CD player  135 ; a sound adjusting portion  136 ; a memory  137 ; a microphone  138 ; an external voice/image inputting portion  139 ; the controller  140 ; and the connector  150 . The in-vehicle apparatus  100  is activated by supplying the power from the battery of the vehicle, when the engine key is positioned at Acc or IG. 
         [0042]    Hereinafter, the function of each part will be described in detail. 
         [0043]    The display portion  131  is provided with a liquid crystal panel and a backlight, and displays a frequency of the received broadcasting, a track number of music being played, a music name being played, and the like, according to the 13-segment display. 
         [0044]    The operating portion  132  is provided for selectively changing the operation mode of the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , and for operating in various modes that have been changed. The operating portion  132  is provided with a group of buttons including: the tilt/eject button  132   a;  a function (represented as FUNC in the drawing)/AF button  132   b;  a TEXT button  132   c;  a SCREEN button  132   d;  a SOURCE/PWR button  132   e;  a MODE button  132   f;  a MUTE button  132   g;  a BAND change button  132   h;  a rotary button  132   i;  a cross key/enter key button  132   j,  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0045]    Here, a description will be given of switching the display between the portable apparatus  10  and the in-vehicle apparatus  100 . 
         [0046]    Firstly, the in-vehicle apparatus  100  turns on when the SOURCE/POWER button  132   e  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100  is pushed. When the SOURCE/POWER button  132   e  is pushed for a short period of time while the portable apparatus  10  is on, the source is changed to the CD playing or radio broadcasting. At this time, the information on the selected source is displayed on the display portion  131  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , and the navigation image is displayed on a display portion  11  of the portable apparatus  10 , without relation to the source. 
         [0047]    Next, when the SCREEN button  132   d  is pushed, the navigation image displayed on the display portion  11  of the portable apparatus  10  can be changed to an image corresponding to the source selected at the in-vehicle apparatus  100 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 8A  shows a state where the portable apparatus  10  is attached to the in-vehicle apparatus  100  while the CD is being played and a navigation image is being displayed on the portable apparatus  10 . 
         [0049]    When the SOURCE/POWER button  132   e  is pushed in the state of  FIG. 8A  and the source is changed from the CD playing to the radio broadcasting, the information on the radio source is displayed on the display portion  131 , as shown in  FIG. 8B . Also, the navigation image remains being displayed on the display portion  11  of the portable apparatus  10 . 
         [0050]    Then, when a user pushes the SCREEN button  132   d,  the image corresponding to the source being processed by the in-vehicle apparatus  100  is displayed on the display portion  11  of the portable apparatus  10 , as shown in  FIG. 8C  (radio image is displayed in  FIG. 8C ). A touch panel, described later, is provided in the display portion  11  of the portable apparatus  10 . A user is capable of operating the source currently being processed, by selecting the operation buttons displayed on the display portion  11 . 
         [0051]    In addition, when the SCREEN button  132   d  is pushed with the radio screen being displayed on the display portion  11 , it is possible to return to the navigation image from the radio image, as shown in  FIG. 8B . When the portable apparatus  10  is removed from the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , the operation of the SCREEN button  132   d  is invalid. 
         [0052]    Furthermore, when a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like is connected to the external voice/image inputting portion  139  with the portable apparatus  10  removed from the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , it is possible to prevent the change to the USB source, even if the SOURCE/POWER button  132   e  is pushed. 
         [0053]    Referring back to  FIG. 5 , the GPS information receiver  133  includes a GPS antenna and a tuner, and receives GPS signals from a satellite. The GPS signal received by the GPS information receiver  133  is output through the controller  140 , the connector  150 , the connector  30 , and a controller  20 , to a navigation portion  19  of the portable apparatus  10 , and then the position of the vehicle in which the in-vehicle apparatus  100  having the portable apparatus  10  therein is determined based on the GPS signal. 
         [0054]    Herein, the GPS signal may be output to the navigation portion of the portable apparatus  10  through the controller  140 , instead of through the controller  20 . Alternatively, the GPS information receiver  133  may be composed of the GPS antenna only, so that the GPS signal received by the GPS antenna may be output to the tuner of a GPS information receiver  13 , described later, without through the controller  140  or the controller  20 . Further alternatively, the GPS signal received by a GPS antenna may be output through the controller  20  to the tuner of the GPS information receiver  13  without through the controller  140 . Various changes may be made as necessary. 
         [0055]    The radio receiver  134  has an antenna and a tuner, receives broadcast waves such as AM broadcasting, FM broadcasting, and sound multiplex broadcasting, outputs stereo audio signals, receives and demodulates multiplex data, and outputs the demodulated signal to the controller  140 . 
         [0056]    The CD player  135  reproduces the data stored in the CD, and outputs the reproduced signal to the controller  140 . 
         [0057]    Herein, the demodulated signal output from the radio receiver  134  may be output to the sound adjusting portion  136 , described later, without through the controller  140 . 
         [0058]    The sound adjusting portion  136  implements signal processing such as volume control or tone control on an audio signal received or demodulated by the radio receiver  134  or the audio signal reproduced by the CD player  135 , and then outputs the processed signal to a speaker  155 . 
         [0059]    The memory  137  may be composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory) from which data is readable and into which data is writable, and temporarily stores information necessary for control. 
         [0060]    The microphone  138  is provided for hands-free communication, and takes in user&#39;s voices in the vehicle. 
         [0061]    The external voice/image inputting portion  139  is provided with a connection terminal with an external device such as a USB memory, portable audio device, or the like so that an audio signal or data from the external device may be input. The external voice/image inputting portion  139  then sends the signal or data to the controller  140 , and outputs the audio signal, data, or the like to the external device connected. 
         [0062]    The controller  140  controls the radio receiver  134 , the CD player  135 , and the sound adjusting portion  136 , according to the operation by means of the operating portion  132 . 
         [0063]    Also, the controller  140  outputs various signals through the connector  150  to the portable apparatus  10 , and controls the in-vehicle apparatus  100  on the basis of the various signals input from the portable apparatus  10 . For example, the controller  140  outputs the GPS signal received by the GPS information receiver  133  or the audio signal input through the microphone  138 , to the portable apparatus  10  by way of the connector  150 . 
         [0064]    Here, the audio signal input through the microphone  138  may be output to the portable apparatus  10  by way of the connector  150 , without through the controller  140 . 
         [0065]    In addition, the voice on communication over a mobile phone connected to the portable apparatus  10  is input through the connector  150  into the controller  140 , and is then output through the sound adjusting portion  136  to the speaker  155 . 
         [0066]    Furthermore, the controller  140  acquires an operation signal corresponding to a menu image of various modes displayed on the display portion  11  of the portable apparatus  10 , from the controller  20  of the portable apparatus  10 , and then controls the radio receiver  134  and the CD player  135 . 
         [0067]    Also, the power is supplied to the controller  140  from the battery mounted in the vehicle. When the portable apparatus  10  is connected, the controller  140  outputs the power supplied from the battery to the portable apparatus  10 . 
         [0068]    Here, a vehicle speed pulse and an illumination power supply signal are input into the controller  140  from a vehicle. The controller  140  transfers such input vehicle speed pulse to the controller  20  of the portable apparatus  10 . Meanwhile, the vehicle speed pulse may be configured not to be input into the in-vehicle apparatus  100 . 
         [0069]    In addition, the controller  140  sends the illumination power supply signal to the controller  20  of the portable apparatus  10 . The controller  20  of the portable apparatus  10  changes the luminance level of the backlight in the display portion  11  according to the illumination power supply signal. 
         [0070]    When a light of a vehicle is turned on and the illumination power supply signal is then turned on, the controller  20  lowers the luminance level of the backlight to darken the display portion  11 . Meanwhile, when the illumination power supply signal is turned off, the controller  20  heightens the luminance level of the backlight to lighten the display portion  11 . 
         [0071]    Next, a description will be given of the portable apparatus  10 . The portable apparatus  10  is provided with: the display portion  11 ; an operating portion  12 ; the GPS information receiver  13 ; a speaker  14 ; a rechargeable battery  15 ; a charge circuit  16 ; a wireless communication transmitter/receiver  17 ; a memory  18 ; the navigation portion  19 ; the controller  20 ; and the connector  30 . 
         [0072]    Hereinafter, functions of the components will be described in detail. 
         [0073]    The display portion  11  is provided with a liquid crystal panel and a backlight, and is capable of displaying map information generated by the navigation portion  19  and guiding path information to a destination, the received broadcasting frequency transferred from the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , a music track number played, music name played, and the like. 
         [0074]    Here, the display portions  11  and  131  may employ a flat panel display other than a liquid crystal panel. Examples are organic light emitting display, plasma display panel, cold-cathode flat panel display, or the like. 
         [0075]    The touch panel  12  is, for example, disposed on the display screen. When the touch panel is touched by a finger or a dedicated pen, the touched position is detected to determine whether or not there is an input operation. 
         [0076]    The GPS information receiver  13  includes an antenna and a tuner, and receives the GPS signal from a satellite. Such received GPS signal is output to the navigation portion  19 , and the vehicle location is detected based on the GPS signal. Meanwhile, the in-vehicle apparatus  100  is also provided with the GPS information receiver  133 . However, when the portable apparatus  10  is attached to the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , the location of the vehicle is identified by use of the GPS signal (and the vehicle speed pulse) received by the GPS information receiver  133 . When the portable apparatus  10  is used alone, the location thereof is specified by use of the GPS signal received by the GPS information receiver  13 . 
         [0077]    The speaker  14  is provided for outputting the audio information of the navigation portion  19 , and outputs the audio information only when the portable apparatus  10  is detached from the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , namely, used alone separately. 
         [0078]    The rechargeable battery  15  supplies power to each portion of the portable apparatus  10 , when the portable apparatus  10 -is detached from the in-vehicle apparatus  100 . When the portable apparatus  10  is attached to the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , the power is supplied through the power supply terminals of the connector  30  from the battery of the vehicle and the rechargeable battery  15  is charged by the charge circuit  16 . Also, the charge circuit  16  is supplied with the power from the connection terminal through a USB slot  57  (see  FIG. 9A ), and the rechargeable battery  15  can be charged. 
         [0079]    The wireless communication transmitter/receiver  17  sends and receives the voice on communication over a mobile phone, and acquires the information used for navigation over the mobile phone. For example, Bluetooth, which is a wireless transmission system at 2.4 GHz band, is used for the wireless communication transmitter/receiver  17 . 
         [0080]    The memory  18  may be a RAM from which data is readable and into which the data is writable, and temporarily stores the information read for each control. 
         [0081]    The navigation portion  19  includes a map information storing portion that stores the map information used for navigation, determines current location information with GPS signal from the GPS information receiver  133  or the GPS information receiver  13 , and creates a map image for navigation. The created map image may be displayed on the display portion  11 . In addition, when the in-vehicle apparatus  100  and the portable apparatus  10  are connected, the vehicle speed pulse is acquired from the vehicle so that the accuracy of the location detection of the vehicle can be improved. 
         [0082]    The controller  20  controls each part of the portable apparatus  10 . Also, the controller  20  outputs various signals to the in-vehicle apparatus  100  through the connector  30 , and controls the portable apparatus  10  based on the various signals input from the in-vehicle apparatus  100 . For example, the controller  20  acquires the GPS signal received by the GPS information receiver  133  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , and outputs to the navigation portion  19 . Also, the controller  20  acquires the audio signal input by the microphone  138  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100  from the controller  140  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , and controls the navigation portion  19  according to the audio signal acquired. That is to say, the navigation portion  19  can be operated in a hands-free manner. The voice on communication over the mobile phone connected to the wireless communication transmitter/receiver  17  is output to an in-vehicle apparatus side through the connector  30 , and is caused to output from the speaker  155  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100 . The operation signal on the menu screen or content screen displayed on the display portion  11  is output to the controller  140  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100  through the connector  30 . The controller  140  controls the radio receiver  134  or the CD player  135  according to the operation signal transmitted from the controller  20  of the portable apparatus  10 . 
         [0083]      FIG. 9A  shows a front view, top view, bottom view, left-side view, and right-side view of the portable apparatus  10 .  FIG. 9B  is a back view of the portable apparatus  10 . 
         [0084]    The top face of the portable apparatus  10  is provided with a power button  55  for turning on or off the power of the portable apparatus. The bottom face of the portable apparatus  10  is provided with: an SD (Secure Digital) memory card slot  56 ; and the USB slot  57 . Since the SD card or the USB memory stores the map information, by inserting the SD card or the USB memory into the slots, the controller  20  outputs the map information to the navigation portion  19 . 
         [0085]    Also, at a top face of the portable apparatus  10 , there is provided the power button  55 . The power of the portable apparatus  10  is turned on or off by the control of the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , when the portable apparatus is attached to the in-vehicle apparatus  100 . In addition, when the portable apparatus  10  is removed from the in-vehicle apparatus  100  and used alone, the power is operated on the basis of the on and off operations of the power button  55 . 
         [0086]    In addition, at a backside of the portable apparatus  10 , there are provided: the connector  30  electrically connected with the in-vehicle apparatus  100 ; and an engagement portion  58  to be engaged with a lock mechanism (not shown) provided at the in-vehicle apparatus  100  side. 
         [0087]    In the electronic system employed in the present exemplary embodiment, when the portable apparatus  10  is attached to the in-vehicle apparatus  100  side, an audio unit (which corresponds to the CD player  135  and the radio receiver  134  according to the present exemplary embodiment, and in addition, it is possible to mount an audio unit that reads and reproduces music data recorded in MD (Mini Disc), hard disk, or the like) at the in-vehicle apparatus  100  side is operated by use of the touch panel  12  of the portable apparatus  10 . 
         [0088]    In the operation of the operation button provided in the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , since the operation button is a little apart from the display portion displaying the operation result, the line of sight has to be moved at the time of operation. On the other hand, in the operation with the use of the touch panel displaying buttons and the operation result on the display portion  11 , the line of sight need not to be moved by a great amount, thereby improving the operability. 
         [0089]    The operation button less frequently used such as function settings of the audio is operated by use of the touch panel  12 , permitting the number of the operation buttons arranged at the in-vehicle apparatus  100  side to be reduced. In addition, if the operation of the function equipped in the in-vehicle apparatus  100  is limited such that the operation cannot be accepted without the portable apparatus  10  attached to the in-vehicle apparatus  100 , the number of the operation buttons arranged at the in-vehicle apparatus  100  side can be further reduced. 
         [0090]    Also, instead of the operation of all the audio units by use of the touch panel  12 , a portion of the audio operation is performed by means of the touch panel  12  and the remaining audio operation is performed by means of the operating portion  132  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100 . This distributes the operation into the touch panel  12  and the operating portion  132 , whereby the load applied to the touch panel  12  and the operating portion  132  can be reduced. For example, as shown in  FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B , when operating the radio tuner or selecting music song data recorded in the external apparatus connected via the external voice/image inputting portion  139 , the touch panel of the portable apparatus  10  is used. Also, when operating the CD player  135  as shown in  FIG. 10C , the operating portion  132  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100  side is used. In both cases, the screen of the audio unit selected is displayed on the display portion  11  of the portable apparatus  10 . 
         [0091]    A procedure of a controller of the in-vehicle apparatus will be described, with reference to the flowchart shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0092]    When the operation button of the operating portion  132  or the touch panel  12  is operated (step S 1 /YES), the controller  140  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100  determines whether or not an audio source selected by the operation is a CD (step S 2 ). If the selected audio source is a CD (step S 2 /YES), it is determined whether or not the portable apparatus  10  is attached (step S 3 ). If attached, CD information is output to the portable apparatus  10  and the CD information is displayed on the display portion  11  of the portable apparatus  10  (see  FIG. 11C ). The CD information includes information on music or the like to be reproduced. 
         [0093]    In addition, if the portable apparatus  10  is not attached to the in-vehicle apparatus  100  (step S 3 /NO), the audio unit is operated by the operating portion  132  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100  (step S 7 ). In this case, a status of the audio such as CD or the like is displayed on the display portion  131 . 
         [0094]    If the operating portion  132  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100  is operated with the CD information displayed on the display portion  11  of the portable apparatus  10  (step S 5 ), a song recorded on the CD is selected according to the operation performed and the selected song is played and the audio thereof is output (step S 6 ). 
         [0095]    Further, if another audio unit other than CD is selected as an audio source at the operation of step S 1  (step S 2 /NO and step S 8 /YES), it is determined whether or not the portable apparatus  10  is attached to the in-vehicle apparatus (step S 9 ). If the portable apparatus  10  is attached (step S 9 /YES), the controller  140  outputs information on a broadcasting station to the portable apparatus  10 , and causes the display portion  11  to display the broadcasting station (step S 10 ). If the touch panel  12  is operated with the broadcasting station being displayed on the display portion  11  of the portable apparatus  10  (step S 11 /YES), the broadcasting station is selected according to the operation performed, receives electric waves from the selected broadcasting station, and outputs the audio (step S 12 ). Here, when the information is displayed on the display portion  11 , the display portion  131  may be prohibited from displaying the information, or may display different information from the display portion  11 . 
         [0096]    Also, in the operation of step S 1 , if another apparatus rather than the audio unit, namely, the portable apparatus  10  is selected (step S 8 /NO), the display on the display portion  11  is controlled or the operation of the display portion  11  is performed by the portable apparatus  10  alone (step S 13 ). 
         [0097]    In the above-described embodiment, the controller  140  of the in-vehicle apparatus  100  serves as a main controller, and controls the portable apparatus  10 ; however, the controller  20  of the portable apparatus  10  may be a main controller to control the in-vehicle apparatus  100 . 
         [0098]    Furthermore, the portable apparatus  10  may be composed of a mobile telephone with the navigation functionality or a personal digital assistance (PDA). Furthermore, instead of the CD insertion/ejection slot  180  and the CD player  135 , there may be provided an insertion/ejection slot and a player thereof for another memory media such as MD (Mini Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), memory card, or the like, and there may also provided insertion/ejection slots and players for multiple types of memory media. 
         [0099]    Although a few specific exemplary embodiments employed in the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.