An operation device is connected to a device main body through a communication channel to operate the device main body. The operation device includes a control module configured to control a use right of the communication channel used by an application. When a certain application performs communication through the communication channel, the control module determines whether the communication is available or not available based on a request for the use right to perform communication from the application, and notifies the application of a determination result to restrict the number of applications performing communication at the same time.