An image recognition apparatus comprising: three-dimensional imaging means for capturing an image of at least part of an operator, and for generating stereoscopic image data; monitor means arranged opposite the operator; the monitor means being configured to display an object, wherein the object is configured to be selected by the operator and to be acted on by the operator; and a virtual operation plane forming reference, which is visible for the operator; operation determination means for forming a virtual operation plane based on the operation plane forming reference, so that the operator is able to identify the virtual operation plane in a predetermined space, permitting the three-dimensional imaging means to scan an action of the operator relative to the thus formed virtual operation plane, and for employing a positional relationship between a part of the operator and the virtual operation plane to determine whether or not the action indicates an operation instruction regarding the object to be selected by the operator; and signal output means for outputting a predetermined signal when it is determined that the action indicates an operation instruction regarding the object to be selected by the operator; characterized by operation contents determination means being adapted to, when an action of the operator has occurred within one of two or more virtual operation layers (A, B, C), wherein the virtual operation layers (A, B, C) are layers defined based on respectively different positional relationships relative to the virtual operation plane and wherein a different operation type is allocated in advance to each of the virtual operation layers (A, B, C), determine the type of the operation instruction for the object to be selected by the operator based on the operation type allocated in advance to said one virtual operation layer (A, B, C), and determine the contents of the operation instruction for the object to be selected by the operator based on said action of the operator within said one virtual operation layer (A, B, C). three-dimensional imaging means for capturing an image of at least part of an operator, and for generating stereoscopic image data; monitor means arranged opposite the operator; the monitor means being configured to display an object, wherein the object is configured to be selected by the operator and to be acted on by the operator; and a virtual operation plane forming reference, which is visible for the operator; operation determination means for forming a virtual operation plane based on the operation plane forming reference, so that the operator is able to identify the virtual operation plane in a predetermined space, permitting the three-dimensional imaging means to scan an action of the operator relative to the thus formed virtual operation plane, and for employing a positional relationship between a part of the operator and the virtual operation plane to determine whether or not the action indicates an operation instruction regarding the object to be selected by the operator; and signal output means for outputting a predetermined signal when it is determined that the action indicates an operation instruction regarding the object to be selected by the operator; characterized by operation contents determination means being adapted to, when an action of the operator has occurred within one of two or more virtual operation layers (A, B, C), wherein the virtual operation layers (A, B, C) are layers defined based on respectively different positional relationships relative to the virtual operation plane and wherein a different operation type is allocated in advance to each of the virtual operation layers (A, B, C), determine the type of the operation instruction for the object to be selected by the operator based on the operation type allocated in advance to said one virtual operation layer (A, B, C), and determine the contents of the operation instruction for the object to be selected by the operator based on said action of the operator within said one virtual operation layer (A, B, C).