Patent ID: 7318198

Claim:
An apparatus operation device for operating an apparatus, comprising: an operation input device configured to allow a user to input an instruction for operating the apparatus without using eyesight, the operation input device comprising a ten-key pad and a confirmation key for confirming selection of the desired operation or setting item at the presently pointed position on the operation menu; an output device configured to output information informing the user of a status of inputting the instruction for operating the apparatus and a result of inputting the instruction for operating the apparatus by a sound and a voice so that the user can operate the apparatus without using eyesight; and an operation menu in which operation items for a function of the apparatus and setting items for each operation item are arranged in a layered tree-structure, wherein each of the operation items and the setting items in the operation menu has a function number, wherein the instruction for operating the apparatus is input by the user by moving a presently pointed position on the operation menu to a desired operation or setting item in the operation menu to select the desired operation or setting item to be set by designating the desired operation or setting item by inputting a function number of the desired operation or setting item with the ten-key pad, and by confirming selection of the desired operation or setting item at the presently pointed position with the confirmation key, wherein a first number key of a lateral line of said ten-key pad creates, when used, sideways movement of the presently pointed position on the operation menu arranged in the layered tree-structure, and wherein a second number key of a vertical line of said ten-key pad creates, when used, upward or downward movement of the presently pointed position on the operation menu arranged in the layered tree-structure.