A multifunction apparatus having a plurality of functions, comprising: an information retrieval unit adapted to transmit an electromagnetic wave signal to a card carried by a user; characterized by: said card being a memory card adapted to store identification information of the user; and said information retrieval unit being adapted to retrieve said identification information of the user from the memory card when the user carrying the memory card is within a detection area; the apparatus further comprising: a memory adapted to store limitation information of usable functions of the apparatus, wherein said limitation information of usable functions is preset for an authenticated user and includes information on which functions of the apparatus the authenticated user is allowed or is not allowed to use and on limits to the use of the usable functions for the authenticated user; and a controller adapted to retrieve said limitation information of usable functions from said memory and to control said usable functions of the apparatus based on said limitation information of usable functions, after the user has been authenticated based on the identification information retrieved from the memory card. an information retrieval unit adapted to transmit an electromagnetic wave signal to a card carried by a user; characterized by: said card being a memory card adapted to store identification information of the user; and said information retrieval unit being adapted to retrieve said identification information of the user from the memory card when the user carrying the memory card is within a detection area; the apparatus further comprising: a memory adapted to store limitation information of usable functions of the apparatus, wherein said limitation information of usable functions is preset for an authenticated user and includes information on which functions of the apparatus the authenticated user is allowed or is not allowed to use and on limits to the use of the usable functions for the authenticated user; and a controller adapted to retrieve said limitation information of usable functions from said memory and to control said usable functions of the apparatus based on said limitation information of usable functions, after the user has been authenticated based on the identification information retrieved from the memory card. said card being a memory card adapted to store identification information of the user; and said information retrieval unit being adapted to retrieve said identification information of the user from the memory card when the user carrying the memory card is within a detection area; the apparatus further comprising: a memory adapted to store limitation information of usable functions of the apparatus, wherein said limitation information of usable functions is preset for an authenticated user and includes information on which functions of the apparatus the authenticated user is allowed or is not allowed to use and on limits to the use of the usable functions for the authenticated user; and a controller adapted to retrieve said limitation information of usable functions from said memory and to control said usable functions of the apparatus based on said limitation information of usable functions, after the user has been authenticated based on the identification information retrieved from the memory card. a memory adapted to store limitation information of usable functions of the apparatus, wherein said limitation information of usable functions is preset for an authenticated user and includes information on which functions of the apparatus the authenticated user is allowed or is not allowed to use and on limits to the use of the usable functions for the authenticated user; and a controller adapted to retrieve said limitation information of usable functions from said memory and to control said usable functions of the apparatus based on said limitation information of usable functions, after the user has been authenticated based on the identification information retrieved from the memory card.