Wireless LAN system, communication terminal and communication program

• US 7,924,768 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2004
• Issued: 04/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Matsuda, Makoto, Tagawa, Norio, Ohara, Kiyotaka
• Primary Examiner(s): Sams; Matthew
• Application Number:
  US10/969,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20050272420A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,364 Days
• Field of Search: 455/426.2, 455/422, 455/554.2, 455/426.1, 455/418, 709/250, 709220-229, 370/328, 370/338, 370/329
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1203 Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1204 resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1226 Discovery of devices having required properties
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1236 Connection management
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1285 Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1292 Mobile client, e.g. wireless printing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0442 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply asymmetric encryption, i.e. different keys for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for public-key encryption H04L9/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/037 of the control plane, e.g. signalling traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0215 based on user or device properties, e.g. MTC-capable devices services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC] H04W4/70; wireless resource selection or allocation plan definition based on terminal or device properties H04W72/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/04 using triggered events
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A wireless LAN system in which data communication between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point.

Claims

1. A wireless LAN system in which data communication between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

the wireless station including:

a method switching system that switches the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless access point to each of the connection methods in turn at preset time intervals;

an announcement transmission system that transmits announcement data, for announcing the switched connection method to devices around the wireless station, according to the switched connection method on each switching of the connection method by the method switching system; and

a method setting system that stops the connection method switching by the method switching system when notification data, for notifying the wireless station that wireless connection by use of the same connection method as the transmitted announcement data is possible, is received during a period between the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system and the connection method switching by the method switching system to the next connection method and thereby sets the connection method at the point of the stop of the connection method switching as the connection method for the wireless connection to the wireless access point,

the wireless access point including a notification transmission system that transmits the notification data to the wireless station when the announcement data transmitted according to the preset connection method is received from the wireless station,

wherein the notification transmission system of the wireless access point transmits a request reminder data, for reminding the wireless station to request permission of the wireless access point for wireless connection, to the wireless station as the notification data when the announcement data transmitted according to the preset connection method is received and thereafter transmits an association reply, giving the wireless station permission for the wireless connection, to the wireless station when an association request as data for requesting the permission for the wireless connection is received from the wireless station,

wherein the notification transmission system of the wireless access point transmits the notification data to wireless stations transmitting the announcement data satisfying a prescribed condition according to the preset connection method,

wherein the wireless access point includes an announcement collection system that collects the announcement data transmitted according to the preset connection method for a prescribed period of time,

wherein, after the collection of the announcement data by the announcement collection system is finished, the notification transmission system transmits the notification data to a wireless station transmitting announcement data according to the same connection method as announcement data included in the collected announcement data,

wherein the announcement transmission system of the wireless station transmits the announcement data associating identification data for identifying the wireless station,

wherein the announcement collection system of the wireless access point collects the announcement data together with the identification data associated with the announcement data, and

wherein the notification transmission system transmits the notification data only to wireless stations transmitting announcement data associated with the same identification data as announcement data already collected by the announcement collection system.

2. The wireless LAN system according to claim 1, wherein the method switching system of the wireless station starts the switching of the connection method when an instruction from outside is received.

3. The wireless LAN system according to claim 1, wherein the method switching system of the wireless station starts the switching of the connection method when the wireless station is started up.

4. The wireless LAN system according to claim 1,

wherein, after the collection of the announcement data by the announcement collection system is finished, the notification transmission system transmits the notification data to the wireless station when the announcement data, transmitted according to the same connection method as the announcement data included in the collected announcement data, is received from the wireless station.

5. The wireless LAN system according to claim 1, wherein the notification transmission system of the wireless access point transmits the notification data to a wireless station transmitting announcement data that is selected from the announcement data, transmitted according to the preset connection method, based on an instruction from outside.

6. The wireless LAN system according to claim 5,

wherein, after the collection of the announcement data by the announcement collection system is finished, the notification transmission system transmits the notification data to the wireless station transmitting the announcement data according to the same connection method as the announcement data that is selected from the collected announcement data based on an instruction from outside.

7. The wireless LAN system according to claim 6,

wherein the wireless access point includes first user selection system which lets a user select one or more wireless stations from the wireless stations transmitting the announcement data collected by the announcement collection system, after the collection of the announcement data by the announcement collection system is finished, and

wherein the notification transmission system transmits the notification data to the one or more wireless stations selected by the user through the first user selection system.

8. The wireless LAN system according to claim 6,

wherein the wireless access point includes a second user selection system which lets a user select one or more pieces of the identification data from the identification data associated with the announcement data collected by the announcement collection system, after the collection of the announcement data by the announcement collection system is finished, and

wherein the notification transmission system transmits the notification data to one or more wireless stations identified by the identification data selected by the user through the second user selection system.

9. The wireless LAN system according to claim 6, wherein after the collection of the announcement data by the announcement collection system is finished, the notification transmission system transmits the notification data to the wireless station when the announcement data, transmitted according to the same connection method as the announcement data included in the collected announcement data, is received from the wireless station.

10. The wireless LAN system according to claim 5, wherein the notification transmission system of the wireless access point is configured to determine the wireless station to which the notification data should be transmitted according to an instruction from a communication terminal which is connected to the wireless access point to communicate data.

11. The wireless LAN system according to claim 10,

wherein the wireless access point includes:

the announcement collection system which collects the announcement data transmitted according to the preset connection method for the prescribed period of time and thereby stores data indicating correspondence between the collected announcement data and wireless stations which transmitted the collected announcement data in a storage unit; and

a listing transmission system which transmits listing data, representing a list of wireless stations whose correspondence has been stored in the storage unit by the announcement collection system, to the communication terminal when request data requesting the list of the wireless stations is received from the communication terminal,

wherein after the listing data is transmitted to the communication terminal by the listing transmission system and selection data, representing one or more wireless stations selected at the communication terminal from the list represented by the listing data, is received from the communication terminal, the notification transmission system transmits the notification data to the wireless station when the announcement data, transmitted according to the same connection method as the announcement data corresponding to one of the wireless stations represented by the selection data, is received from the wireless station, and

wherein the communication terminal includes;

a request transmission system which transmits the request data to the wireless access point;

a third user selection system which lets a user select one or more wireless stations from the list represented by the listing data when the listing data is received from the wireless access point after the request data is transmitted to the wireless access point by the request transmission system; and

a selection transmission system which transmits the selection data, representing the one or more wireless stations selected by the user through the third user selection system, to the wireless access point.

12. The wireless LAN system according to claim 11, wherein after the collection of the announcement data by the announcement collection system is finished, the notification transmission system transmits the notification data to the wireless station when the announcement data, transmitted according to the same connection method as the announcement data included in the collected announcement data, is received from the wireless station.

13. The wireless LAN system according to claim 10,

wherein the wireless access point includes:

the announcement collection system which collects the announcement data transmitted according to the preset connection method together with the identification data associated with the announcement data for the prescribed period of time and thereby stores data indicating correspondence between the identification data and wireless stations which transmitted the collected announcement data in a storage unit; and

a listing transmission system which transmits listing data, representing a list of identification data whose correspondence has been stored in the storage unit by the announcement collection system, to the communication terminal when request data requesting the list of the identification data is received from the communication terminal,

wherein after the listing data is transmitted to the communication terminal by the listing transmission system and selection data, representing one or more pieces of the identification data selected at the communication terminal from the list represented by the listing data, is received from the communication terminal, the notification transmission system transmits the notification data to the wireless station when the announcement data, transmitted according to the same connection method as the announcement data corresponding to a piece of the identification data represented by the selection data, is received from the wireless station, and

wherein the communication terminal includes;

a request transmission system which transmits the request data to the wireless access point;

a fourth user selection system which lets a user select one or more pieces of the identification data from the list represented by the listing data when the listing data is received from the wireless access point after the request data is transmitted to the wireless access point by the request transmission system; and

a selection transmission system which transmits the selection data, representing the one or more pieces of identification data selected by the user through the fourth user selection system, to the wireless access point.

14. The wireless LAN system according to claim 13, wherein after the collection of the announcement data by the announcement collection system is finished, the notification transmission system transmits the notification data to the wireless station when the announcement data, transmitted according to the same connection method as the announcement data included in the collected announcement data, is received from the wireless station.

15. The wireless LAN system according to claim 1,

wherein the wireless access point includes encryption switching system which switches an encryption method employed for the data communication with each wireless station, and

wherein in cases where the wireless access point has been set to a state for executing the data communication by encrypting data with a first encryption key after the transmission of the notification data by the notification transmission system, the encryption switching system switches the encryption method to a method executing the data communication without encryption only for data communication with each wireless station to which the notification data has been transmitted.

16. The wireless LAN system according to claim 15,

wherein the wireless access point is connected with a communication terminal capable of data communication with the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless station includes:

an encryption key acquisition system which acquires the first encryption key from the communication terminal via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem; and

an encryption alteration system which alters settings of the wireless station so that data communication with the wireless access point will be executed employing the encryption with the first encryption key, by releasing the wireless connection with the wireless access point and reestablishing the wireless connection employing the encryption with the first encryption key when the first encryption key is acquired from the communication terminal by the encryption key acquisition system,

wherein the communication terminal includes encryption key transfer system which transfers the first encryption key to the wireless station via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem, and

wherein the encryption switching system of the wireless access point does not execute the switching of the encryption method after the wireless connection with the wireless station is released.

17. The wireless LAN system according to claim 1,

wherein the notification transmission system of the wireless access point is configured to transmit the notification data attaching a second encryption key, which is different from a first encryption key being employed for encrypting the data communication by the wireless access point, to the notification data,

wherein the wireless access point includes encryption switching system which, after the transmission of the notification data by the notification transmission system, switches an encryption method employed for data communication with each wireless station to which the notification data has been transmitted, to a method executing the data communication by encrypting data with the second encryption key, and

wherein the wireless station includes encryption setting system which, after the reception of the notification data from the wireless access point, sets the wireless station to execute the data communication with the wireless access point by encrypting data with the second encryption key attached to the notification data.

18. The wireless LAN system according to claim 15,

wherein the wireless access point is connected with a communication terminal capable of data communication with the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless station includes:

an encryption key acquisition system which acquires the first encryption key from the communication terminal via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem; and

an encryption alteration system which alters settings of the wireless station so that data communication with the wireless access point will be executed employing the encryption with the first encryption key, by releasing the wireless connection with the wireless access point and reestablishing the wireless connection employing the encryption with the first encryption key when the first encryption key is acquired from the communication terminal by the encryption key acquisition system,

wherein the communication terminal includes encryption key transfer system which transfers the first encryption key to the wireless station via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem, and

wherein the encryption switching system of the wireless access point does not execute the switching of the encryption method after the wireless connection with the wireless station is released.

19. The wireless LAN system according to claim 18,

wherein the encryption key transfer system of the communication terminal is configured to transfer an authentication message to the wireless station by the public key cryptosystem prior to the transfer of the first encryption key,

wherein the communication terminal includes confirmation operation system which lets a user who confirmed the authentication message outputted by the wireless station carry out a confirmation operation after the authentication message is transferred to the wireless station by the encryption key transfer system,

wherein the encryption key transfer system is configured to transfer the first encryption key when the confirmation operation is carried out through the confirmation operation system,

wherein the encryption key acquisition system of the wireless station is configured to acquire the authentication message which is transferred from the communication terminal by the public key cryptosystem prior to the first encryption key,

wherein the wireless station includes message output system which outputs the authentication message acquired by the encryption key acquisition system, and

wherein the encryption key acquisition system acquires the first encryption key which is transferred from the communication terminal after the confirmation operation to the communication terminal is carried out by the user confirming the authentication message outputted by the message output system.

20. The wireless LAN system according to claim 1, wherein the wireless access point includes mode switching system capable of switching the operation mode of the wireless access point to either one selected from a support mode supporting the setting of the connection method of each wireless station by executing the transmission of the notification data by the notification transmission system and a normal mode not supporting the setting of the connection method without executing the transmission of the notification data by the notification transmission system.

21. The wireless LAN system according to claim 20, wherein the mode switching system of the wireless access point switches the operation mode in response to an instruction from outside.

22. The wireless LAN system according to claim 20, wherein the mode switching system of the wireless access point switches the operation mode to the normal mode when a prescribed period of time has passed since the switching of the operation mode to the support mode.

23. The wireless LAN system according to claim 20, wherein the mode switching system of the wireless access point switches the operation mode to the normal mode when the notification data has been transmitted by the notification transmission system for a prescribed number of times since the switching of the operation mode to the support mode.

24. The wireless LAN system according to claim 1,

wherein the wireless station includes:

content judgment system which judges whether or not content of current settings regarding the connection method for the wireless connection to the wireless access point requires new setting of the connection method for the wireless connection to the wireless access point via the switching by the method switching system, the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system and the setting by the method setting system; and

non-setting system which prevents the switching by the method switching system, the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system and the setting by the method setting system when the content judgment system judges that the content of the current settings does not require the new setting.

25. The wireless LAN system according to claim 1,

wherein the wireless station includes content judgment system which judges whether or not content of current settings regarding the connection method for the wireless connection to the wireless access point requires new setting of the connection method for the wireless connection to the wireless access point via the switching by the method switching system, the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system and the setting by the method setting system,

wherein the announcement transmission system is configured to transmit the announcement data in a state specifying the result of the judgment by the content judgment system on the necessity of the new setting of the connection method, and

wherein the notification transmission system of the wireless access point transmits the notification data only when the announcement data received from the wireless station is data capable of specifying that the new setting of the connection method is necessary.

26. A wireless LAN system in which data communication between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless access point includes:

a reply request system which transmits reply request data, for requesting a reply, to the wireless station according to each of the connection methods; and

a method notification system which transmits notification data, for notifying the wireless station of the connection method preset to the wireless access point, to the wireless station according to the same connection method as reply data when the reply data as the reply to the reply request data is received after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply request system, and

wherein the wireless station includes;

a reply transmission system which transmits the reply data to the wireless access point when the request data transmitted from the wireless access point according to a connection method preset to the wireless station is received; and

a method setting system which sets the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless station to the connection method notified by the notification data when the notification data transmitted according to the connection method preset to the wireless station is received after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply transmission system, wherein data is transmitted between the wireless station and the wireless access point according to each of the plurality of connection methods before the connection method of the wireless station is set.

27. The wireless LAN system according to claim 26, wherein the method notification system of the wireless access point transmits a request reminder data, for reminding the wireless station to request permission for wireless connection, to the wireless station as the notification data, and thereafter transmits an association reply, giving the wireless station permission for the wireless connection, to the wireless station when an association request as data for requesting the permission for the wireless connection is received from the wireless station.

28. The wireless LAN system according to claim 26,

wherein the wireless access point includes method switching system which switches the connection method of the wireless access point to each of the connection methods in turn at preset time intervals and thereafter returns the connection method to the connection method preset to the wireless access point,

wherein the reply request system transmits the reply request data according to each connection method switched and set by the method switching system on each switching of the connection method by the method switching system, and

wherein the method notification system transmits the notification data according to the connection method set at the point of the reception of the reply data when the reply data is received between the transmission of the reply request data by the reply request system and the switching of the connection method to the next connection method by the method switching system.

29. The wireless LAN system according to claim 28, wherein the method switching system of the wireless access point starts the switching of the connection method when an instruction from outside is received.

30. The wireless LAN system according to claim 28, wherein the reply request system of the wireless access point transmits the reply request data according to the connection method preset to the wireless access point before the switching of the connection method by the method switching system is started.

31. The wireless LAN system according to claim 26,

wherein the wireless station includes notification collection system which collects the notification data transmitted according to the connection method preset to the wireless station for a prescribed period of time, and

wherein the method setting system sets a connection method notified by notification data having the highest reception level among the notification data collected by the notification collection system as the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless access point after the collection of the notification data by the notification collection system is finished.

32. The wireless LAN system according to claim 26, wherein the method notification system of the wireless access point transmits the notification data to wireless stations returning the reply data satisfying a prescribed condition.

33. The wireless LAN system according to claim 26,

wherein the wireless access point includes reply collection system which collects the reply data for a prescribed period of time after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply request system is started, and

wherein the method notification system transmits the notification data to a wireless station returning reply data having the highest reception level among the reply data collected by the reply collection system, after the collection of the reply data by the reply collection system is finished.

34. The wireless LAN system according to claim 26,

wherein the method notification system of the wireless access point transmits the notification data to a wireless station returning reply data that is selected from all the reply data, returned after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply request system is started, based on an instruction from outside.

35. The wireless LAN system according to claim 34,

wherein the wireless access point includes reply collection system which collects the reply data for a prescribed period of time after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply request system is started, and

wherein the method notification system transmits the notification data to a wireless station returning reply data that is selected from all the reply data collected by the reply collection system based on an instruction from outside after the collection of the reply data by the reply collection system is finished.

36. The wireless LAN system according to claim 35,

wherein the wireless access point includes first user selection system which lets a user select one or more wireless stations from the wireless stations returning the reply data collected by the reply collection system, after the collection of the reply data by the reply collection system is finished, and

wherein the method notification system transmits the notification data to the one or more wireless stations selected by the user through the first user selection system.

37. The wireless LAN system according to claim 35,

wherein the reply transmission system of the wireless station transmits the reply data associating identification data for identifying the wireless station with the reply data,

wherein the reply collection system of the wireless access point collects the reply data together with the identification data associated with the reply data,

wherein the wireless access point includes second user selection system which lets a user select one or more pieces of the identification data from the identification data associated with the reply data collected by the reply collection system, after the collection of the reply data by the reply collection system is finished, and

wherein the method notification system transmits the notification data to one or more wireless stations identified by the identification data selected by the user through the second user selection system.

38. The wireless LAN system according to claim 34,

wherein the method notification system of the wireless access point is configured to determine the wireless station to which the notification data should be transmitted according to an instruction from a communication terminal which is connected to the wireless access point to communicate data.

39. The wireless LAN system according to claim 38,

wherein the wireless access point includes:

a reply collection system which collects the reply data for a prescribed period of time after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply request system is started and thereby stores data indicating correspondence between the collected reply data and wireless stations which transmitted the collected reply data in a storage unit; and

a listing transmission system which transmits listing data, representing a list of wireless stations whose correspondence has been stored in the storage unit by the reply collection system, to the communication terminal when listing request data requesting the list of the wireless stations is received from the communication terminal, and

wherein after the listing data is transmitted to the communication terminal by the listing transmission system and selection data, representing one or more wireless stations selected at the communication terminal from the list represented by the listing data, is received from the communication terminal, the method notification system transmits the notification data to the one or more wireless stations represented by the selection data, and

wherein the communication terminal includes;

a listing request system which transmits the listing request data to the wireless access point;

a third user selection system which lets a user select one or more wireless stations from the list represented by the listing data when the listing data is received from the wireless access point after the listing request data is transmitted to the wireless access point by the listing request system; and

a selection transmission system which transmits the selection data, representing the one or more wireless stations selected by the user through the third user selection system, to the wireless access point.

40. The wireless LAN system according to claim 38,

wherein the reply transmission system of the wireless station transmits the reply data associating identification data for identifying the wireless station with the reply data,

wherein the wireless access point includes:

a reply collection system which collects the reply data together with the identification data associated with the reply data for a prescribed period of time after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply request system is started and thereby stores data indicating correspondence between the identification data and wireless stations which transmitted the collected reply data in a storage unit; and

a listing transmission system which transmits listing data, representing a list of identification data whose correspondence has been stored in the storage unit by the reply collection system, to the communication terminal when listing request data requesting the list of the identification data is received from the communication terminal,

wherein, after the listing data is transmitted to the communication terminal by the listing transmission system and selection data, representing one or more pieces of the identification data selected at the communication terminal from the list represented by the listing data, is received from the communication terminal, the method notification system transmits the notification data to one or more wireless stations corresponding to the one or more pieces of identification data represented by the selection data, and

wherein the communication terminal includes;

a listing request system which transmits the listing request data to the wireless access point;

a fourth user selection system which lets a user select one or more pieces of the identification data from the list represented by the listing data when the listing data is received from the wireless access point after the listing request data is transmitted to the wireless access point by the listing request system; and

a selection transmission system which transmits the selection data, representing the one or more pieces of identification data selected by the user through the fourth user selection system, to the wireless access point.

41. The wireless LAN system according to claim 26,

wherein the wireless access point includes encryption switching system which switches an encryption method employed for the data communication with each wireless station, and

wherein, in cases where the wireless access point has been set to a state for executing the data communication by encrypting data with a first encryption key after the transmission of the notification data by the method notification system, the encryption switching system switches the encryption method to a method executing the data communication without encryption only for data communication with each wireless station to which the notification data has been transmitted.

42. The wireless LAN system according to claim 41,

wherein the wireless access point is connected with a communication terminal capable of data communication with the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless station includes:

an encryption key acquisition system which acquires the first encryption key from the communication terminal via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem; and

an encryption alteration system which alters settings of the wireless station so that data communication with the wireless access point will be executed employing the encryption with the first encryption key, by releasing the wireless connection with the wireless access point and reestablishing the wireless connection employing the encryption with the first encryption key when the first encryption key is acquired from the communication terminal by the encryption key acquisition system, and

the communication terminal includes encryption key transfer system which transfers the first encryption key to the wireless station via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem, and

wherein the encryption switching system of the wireless access point does not execute the switching of the encryption method after the wireless connection with the wireless station is released.

43. The wireless LAN system according to claim 42,

wherein the encryption key transfer system of the communication terminal is configured to transfer an authentication signal to the wireless station by the public key crypto system prior to the transfer of the first encryption key,

wherein the communication terminal includes confirmation operation system which lets a user who confirmed the authentication signal outputted by the wireless station carry out a confirmation operation after the authentication signal is transferred to the wireless station by the encryption key transfer system,

wherein the encryption key transfer system is configured to transfer the first encryption key when the confirmation operation is carried out through the confirmation operation system,

wherein the encryption key acquisition system of the wireless station is configured to acquire the authentication signal which is transferred from the communication terminal by the public key cryptosystem prior to the first encryption key,

wherein the wireless station includes signal output system which outputs the authentication signal acquired by the encryption key acquisition system, and

wherein the encryption key acquisition system acquires the first encryption key which is transferred from the communication terminal after the confirmation operation to the communication terminal is carried out by the user confirming the authentication signal outputted by the signal output system.

44. The wireless LAN system according to claim 41, wherein the encryption key transfer system of the communication terminal is configured to transfer an authentication signal which indicates transferring of the first encryption key to the wireless station by the public key cryptosystem, and

wherein the wireless station includes a signal output system which outputs the authentication signal acquired by the encryption key acquisition system.

45. The wireless LAN system according to claim 26,

wherein the method notification system of the wireless access point is configured to transmit the notification data attaching a second encryption key, which is different from a first encryption key being employed for encrypting the data communication by the wireless access point, to the notification data,

wherein the wireless access point includes encryption switching system which, after the transmission of the notification data by the method notification system, switches an encryption method employed for data communication with each wireless station to which the notification data has been transmitted, to a method executing the data communication by encrypting data with the second encryption key, and

wherein the wireless station includes encryption setting system which, after the reception of the notification data from the wireless access point, sets the wireless station to execute the data communication with the wireless access point by encrypting data with the second encryption key attached to the notification data.

46. The wireless LAN system according to claim 45,

wherein the wireless access point is connected with a communication terminal capable of data communication with the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless station includes:

an encryption key acquisition system which acquires the first encryption key from the communication terminal via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem; and

an encryption alteration system which alters settings of the wireless station so that data communication with the wireless access point will be executed employing the encryption with the first encryption key, by releasing the wireless connection with the wireless access point and reestablishing the wireless connection employing the encryption with the first encryption key when the first encryption key is acquired from the communication terminal by the encryption key acquisition system, and

the communication terminal includes encryption key transfer system which transfers the first encryption key to the wireless station via the wireless access point by the public key crypto system, and

wherein the encryption switching system of the wireless access point does not execute the switching of the encryption method after the wireless connection with the wireless station is released.

47. The wireless LAN system according to claim 46, wherein the encryption key transfer system of the communication terminal is configured to transfer an authentication signal which indicates transferring of the first encryption key to the wireless station by the public key cryptosystem, and

wherein the wireless station includes a signal output system which outputs the authentication signal acquired by the encryption key acquisition system.

48. The wireless LAN system according to claim 46,

wherein the encryption key transfer system of the communication terminal is configured to transfer an authentication signal to the wireless station by the public key cryptosystem prior to the transfer of the first encryption key,

wherein the communication terminal includes confirmation operation system which lets a user who confirmed the authentication signal outputted by the wireless station carry out a confirmation operation after the authentication signal is transferred to the wireless station by the encryption key transfer system,

wherein the encryption key transfer system is configured to transfer the first encryption key when the confirmation operation is carried out through the confirmation operation system,

wherein the encryption key acquisition system of the wireless station is configured to acquire the authentication signal which is transferred from the communication terminal by the public key cryptosystem prior to the first encryption key,

wherein the wireless station includes signal output system which outputs the authentication signal acquired by the encryption key acquisition system, and

wherein the encryption key acquisition system acquires the first encryption key which is transferred from the communication terminal after the confirmation operation to the communication terminal is carried out by the user confirming the authentication signal outputted by the signal output system.

49. The wireless LAN system according to claim 26,

wherein the wireless access point includes mode switching system capable of switching the operation mode of the wireless access point to either one selected from a support mode supporting the setting of the connection method of each wireless station by executing the transmission of the notification data by the method notification system and a normal mode not supporting the setting of the connection method without executing the transmission of the notification data by the method notification system.

50. The wireless LAN system according to claim 47,

wherein the mode switching system of the wireless access point switches the operation mode in response to an instruction from outside.

51. The wireless LAN system according to claim 47,

wherein the mode switching system of the wireless access point switches the operation mode to the normal mode when a prescribed period of time has passed since the switching of the operation mode to the support mode.

52. The wireless LAN system according to claim 49,

wherein the mode switching system of the wireless access point switches the operation mode to the normal mode when the notification data has been transmitted by the method notification system for a prescribed number of times since the switching of the operation mode to the support mode.

53. The wireless LAN system according to claim 26,

wherein the wireless station includes:

a content judgment system which judges whether or not content of current settings regarding the connection method for the wireless connection to the wireless access point requires new setting of the connection method for the wireless connection to the wireless access point via the reply by the reply transmission system and the setting by the method setting system; and

an operation suspension system which prevents the reply by the reply transmission system and/or the setting by the method setting system when the content judgment system judges that the content of the current settings does not require the new setting.

54. The wireless LAN system according to claim 26,

wherein the wireless station includes content judgment system which judges whether or not content of current settings regarding the connection method for the wireless connection to the wireless access point requires new setting of the connection method for the wireless connection to the wireless access point via the reply by the reply transmission system and the setting by the method setting system,

wherein the reply transmission system is configured to transmit the reply data in a state specifying the result of the judgment by the content judgment system on the necessity of the new setting of the connection method, and

wherein the method notification system of the wireless access point transmits the notification data only when the reply data received from the wireless station is data capable of specifying that the new setting of the connection method is necessary.

55. A wireless LAN system in which data communication between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless access point includes an announcement transmission system which transmits announcement data, for announcing that the connection method of the wireless access point has been set to a particular one selected from the plurality of connection methods, according to each of the plurality of connection methods,

wherein the announcement transmission system of the wireless access point is configured to transmit data for requesting a reply made according to the particular connection method as the announcement data,

wherein the wireless access point includes a connection permission system which establishes the wireless connection with the wireless station by transmitting a request reminder data for letting the wireless station request permission for the wireless connection to the wireless access point when reply data returned from the wireless station according to the announcement data is received after the transmission of the announcement data is started by the announcement transmission system and thereafter transmitting connection permission data indicating permission for the wireless connection to the wireless access point when permission request data as data for requesting the permission for the wireless connection is received from the wireless station,

wherein the wireless station includes method setting system which sets the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless access point to the particular connection method announced by the announcement data when the announcement data transmitted according to a preset connection method is received from the wireless access point, wherein data is transmitted between the wireless station and the wireless access point according to each of the plurality of connection methods before the connection method of the wireless station is set,

wherein the wireless access point includes a mode switching system capable of switching an operation mode of the wireless access point to either one selected from a support mode supporting the setting of the connection method of each wireless station by executing the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system and a normal mode not supporting the setting of the connection method without executing the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system, and

wherein the wireless station further includes:

a reply system which returns the reply data representing the reply requested by the announcement data to the wireless access point according to the particular connection method announced by the announcement data when the announcement data is received from the wireless access point; and

a connection establishment system which establishes the wireless connection with the wireless access point via the transmission of the permission request data and the reception of the connection permission data when the request reminder data transmitted by the wireless access point is received after the reply system transmitted the reply data to the wireless access point.

56. The wireless LAN system according to claim 55,

wherein the wireless access point includes method switching system which temporarily switches the connection method of the wireless access point to each of the connection methods, and

wherein the announcement transmission system transmits the announcement data according to each connection method switched and set by the method switching system during each period in which the connection method is temporarily switched by the method switching system to the connection method.

57. The wireless LAN system according to claim 56, wherein the method switching system of the wireless access point starts the switching of the connection method when an instruction from outside is received.

58. The wireless LAN system according to claim 57, wherein the announcement transmission system of the wireless access point transmits the announcement data according to a preset connection method before the switching of the connection method by the method switching system is started.

59. The wireless LAN system according to claim 55,

wherein the wireless station includes announcement collection system which collects the announcement data transmitted according to the preset connection method for a prescribed period of time, and

wherein the method setting system sets a connection method announced by announcement data having the highest reception level among the announcement data collected by the announcement collection system as the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless access point after the collection of the announcement data by the announcement collection system is finished.

60. The wireless LAN system according to claim 55, wherein the connection permission system of the wireless access point transmits the request reminder data to wireless stations returning the reply data satisfying a prescribed condition.

61. The wireless LAN system according to claim 60,

wherein the wireless access point includes reply collection system which collects the reply data for a prescribed period of time after the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system is started, and

wherein the connection permission system transmits the request reminder data to a wireless station returning reply data having the highest reception level among the reply data collected by the reply collection system, after the collection of the reply data by the reply collection system is finished.

62. The wireless LAN system according to claim 55, wherein the connection permission system of the wireless access point transmits the request reminder data to a wireless station returning reply data that is selected from all the reply data, returned after the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system is started, based on an instruction from outside.

63. The wireless LAN system according to claim 62,

wherein the wireless access point includes reply collection system which collects the reply data for a prescribed period of time after the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system is started, and

wherein the connection permission system transmits the request reminder data to a wireless station returning reply data that is selected from all the reply data collected by the reply collection system based on an instruction from outside after the collection of the reply data by the reply collection system is finished.

64. The wireless LAN system according to claim 63,

wherein the wireless access point includes first user selection system which lets a user select one or more wireless stations from the wireless stations returning the reply data collected by the reply collection system, after the collection of the reply data by the reply collection system is finished, and

wherein the connection permission system transmits the request reminder data to the one or more wireless stations selected by the user through the first user selection system.

65. The wireless LAN system according to claim 64,

wherein the reply system of the wireless station transmits the reply data associating identification data for identifying the wireless station with the reply data,

wherein the reply collection system of the wireless access point collects the reply data together with the identification data associated with the reply data,

wherein the wireless access point includes second user selection system which lets a user select one or more pieces of the identification data from the identification data associated with the reply data collected by the reply collection system, after the collection of the reply data by the reply collection system is finished, and

wherein the connection permission system transmits the request reminder data to one or more wireless stations identified by the identification data selected by the user through the second user selection system.

66. The wireless LAN system according to claim 62, wherein the connection permission system of the wireless access point is configured to determine the wireless station to which the request reminder data should be transmitted according to an instruction from a communication terminal which is connected to the wireless access point to communicate data.

67. The wireless LAN system according to claim 66,

wherein the wireless access point includes:

a reply collection system which collects the reply data for a prescribed period of time after the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system is started and thereby stores data indicating correspondence between the collected reply data and wireless stations which transmitted the collected reply data in a storage unit; and

a listing transmission system which transmits listing data, representing a list of wireless stations whose correspondence has been stored in the storage unit by the reply collection system, to the communication terminal when listing request data requesting the list of the wireless stations is received from the communication terminal,

wherein, after the listing data is transmitted to the communication terminal by the listing transmission system and selection data, representing one or more wireless stations selected at the communication terminal from the list represented by the listing data, is received from the communication terminal, the connection permission system transmits the notification data to the one or more wireless stations represented by the selection data, and

wherein the communication terminal includes;

a listing request system which transmits the listing request data to the wireless access point;

a third user selection system which lets a user select one or more wireless stations from the list represented by the listing data when the listing data is received from the wireless access point after the listing request data is transmitted to the wireless access point by the listing request system; and

a selection transmission system which transmits the selection data, representing the one or more wireless stations selected by the user through the third user selection system, to the wireless access point.

68. The wireless LAN system according to claim 66,

wherein the reply system of the wireless station transmits the reply data associating identification data for identifying the wireless station with the reply data,

wherein the wireless access point includes:

a reply collection system which collects the reply data together with the identification data associated with the reply data for a prescribed period of time after the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system is started and thereby stores data indicating correspondence between the identification data and wireless stations which transmitted the collected reply data in a storage unit; and

a listing transmission system which transmits listing data, representing a list of identification data whose correspondence has been stored in the storage unit by the reply collection system, to the communication terminal when listing request data requesting the list of the identification data is received from the communication terminal, and

wherein, after the listing data is transmitted to the communication terminal by the listing transmission system and selection data, representing one or more pieces of the identification data selected at the communication terminal from the list represented by the listing data, is received from the communication terminal, the connection permission system transmits the request reminder data to one or more wireless stations corresponding to the one or more pieces of identification data represented by the selection data, and

wherein the communication terminal includes;

a listing request system which transmits the listing request data to the wireless access point;

a fourth user selection system which lets a user select one or more pieces of the identification data from the list represented by the listing data when the listing data is received from the wireless access point after the listing request data is transmitted to the wireless access point by the listing request system; and

a selection transmission system which transmits the selection data, representing the one or more wireless stations selected by the user through the fourth user selection system, to the wireless access point.

69. The wireless LAN system according to claim 55,

wherein the wireless access point includes encryption switching system which switches an encryption method employed for the data communication with each wireless station, and

wherein in cases where the wireless access point has been set to a state for executing the data communication by encrypting data with a first encryption key after the transmission of the request reminder data by the connection permission system, the encryption switching system switches the encryption method to a method executing the data communication without encryption only for data communication with each wireless station to which the request reminder data has been transmitted.

70. The wireless LAN system according to claim 66,

wherein the wireless access point is connected with a communication terminal capable of data communication with the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless station includes:

an encryption key acquisition system which acquires the first encryption key from the communication terminal via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem; and

an encryption alteration system which alters settings of the wireless station so that data communication with the wireless access point will be executed employing the encryption with the first encryption key, by releasing the wireless connection with the wireless access point and reestablishing the wireless connection employing the encryption with the first encryption key when the first encryption key is acquired from the communication terminal by the encryption key acquisition system,

wherein the communication terminal includes encryption key transfer system which transfers the first encryption key to the wireless station via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem, and

wherein the encryption switching system of the wireless access point does not execute the switching of the encryption method after the wireless connection with the wireless station is released.

71. The wireless LAN system according to claim 70,

wherein the encryption key transfer system of the communication terminal is configured to transfer an authentication message to the wireless station by the public key cryptosystem prior to the transfer of the first encryption key,

wherein the communication terminal includes confirmation operation system which lets a user who confirmed the authentication message outputted by the wireless station carry out a confirmation operation after the authentication message is transferred to the wireless station by the encryption key transfer system,

wherein the encryption key transfer system is configured to transfer the first encryption key when the confirmation operation is carried out through the confirmation operation system,

wherein the encryption key acquisition system of the wireless station is configured to acquire the authentication message which is transferred from the communication terminal by the public key cryptosystem prior to the first encryption key,

wherein the wireless station includes message output system which outputs the authentication message acquired by the encryption key acquisition system, and

wherein the encryption key acquisition system acquires the first encryption key which is transferred from the communication terminal after the confirmation operation to the communication terminal is carried out by the user confirming the authentication message outputted by the message output system.

72. The wireless LAN system according to claim 55,

wherein the connection permission system of the wireless access point is configured to transmit the request reminder data attaching a second encryption key, which is different from a first encryption key being employed for encrypting the data communication by the wireless access point, to the request reminder data,

wherein the wireless access point includes encryption switching system which, after the transmission of the request reminder data by the connection permission system, switches an encryption method employed for data communication with each wireless station to which the request reminder data has been transmitted, to a method executing the data communication by encrypting data with the second encryption key, and

wherein the wireless station includes encryption setting system which, after the reception of the request reminder data from the wireless access point, sets the wireless station to execute the data communication with the wireless access point by encrypting data with the second encryption key attached to the request reminder data.

73. The wireless LAN system according to claim 72,

wherein the wireless access point is connected with a communication terminal capable of data communication with the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless station includes:

an encryption key acquisition system which acquires the first encryption key from the communication terminal via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem; and

an encryption alteration system which alters settings of the wireless station so that data communication with the wireless access point will be executed employing the encryption with the first encryption key, by releasing the wireless connection with the wireless access point and reestablishing the wireless connection employing the encryption with the first encryption key when the first encryption key is acquired from the communication terminal by the encryption key acquisition system,

wherein the communication terminal includes encryption key transfer system which transfers the first encryption key to the wireless station via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem, and

wherein the encryption switching system of the wireless access point does not execute the switching of the encryption method after the wireless connection with the wireless station is released.

74. The wireless LAN system according to claim 73,

wherein the encryption key transfer system of the communication terminal is configured to transfer an authentication message to the wireless station by the public key cryptosystem prior to the transfer of the first encryption key,

wherein the communication terminal includes confirmation operation system which lets a user who confirmed the authentication message outputted by the wireless station carry out a confirmation operation after the authentication message is transferred to the wireless station by the encryption key transfer system,

wherein the encryption key transfer system is configured to transfer the first encryption key when the confirmation operation is carried out through the confirmation operation system,

wherein the encryption key acquisition system of the wireless station is configured to acquire the authentication message which is transferred from the communication terminal by the public key cryptosystem prior to the first encryption key,

wherein the wireless station includes message output system which outputs the authentication message acquired by the encryption key acquisition system, and

wherein the encryption key acquisition system acquires the first encryption key which is transferred from the communication terminal after the confirmation operation to the communication terminal is carried out by the user confirming the authentication message outputted by the message output system.

75. The wireless LAN system according to claim 55, wherein the mode switching system of the wireless access point switches the operation mode in response to an instruction from outside.

76. The wireless LAN system according to claim 55, wherein the mode switching system of the wireless access point switches the operation mode to the normal mode when a prescribed period of time has passed since the switching of the operation mode to the support mode.

77. The wireless LAN system according to claim 55, wherein the mode switching system of the wireless access point switches the operation mode to the normal mode when the announcement data has been transmitted by the announcement transmission system for a prescribed number of times since the switching of the operation mode to the support mode.

78. The wireless LAN system according to claim 55,

wherein the wireless station includes:

a content judgment system which judges whether or not content of current settings regarding the connection method for the wireless connection to the wireless access point requires new setting of the connection method for the wireless connection to the wireless access point via the setting by the method setting system; and

an operation suspension system which prevents the setting by the method setting system when the content judgment system judges that the content of the current settings does not require the new setting.

79. A communication terminal of a wireless LAN system in which data communication between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless station includes:

a method switching system that switches the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless access point to each of the connection methods in turn at preset time intervals;

an announcement transmission system that transmits announcement data, for announcing the switched connection method to devices around the wireless station, according to the switched connection method on each switching of the connection method by the method switching system; and

a method setting system that stops the connection method switching by the method switching system when notification data, for notifying the wireless station that wireless connection by use of the same connection method as the transmitted announcement data is possible, is received during a period between the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system and the connection method switching by the method switching system to the next connection method and thereby sets the connection method at the point of the stop of the connection method switching as the connection method for the wireless connection to the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless access point includes a notification transmission system that transmits the notification data to the wireless station when the announcement data transmitted according to the preset connection method is received from the wireless station,

wherein the notification transmission system of the wireless access point transmits the notification data to a wireless station transmitting announcement data that is selected from the announcement data, transmitted according to the preset connection method, based on an instruction from outside, and

wherein the notification transmission system of the wireless access point is configured to determine the wireless station to which the notification data should be transmitted according to an instruction from the communication terminal which is connected to the wireless access point to communicate data,

wherein the notification transmission system of the wireless access point transmits the notification data to wireless stations transmitting the announcement data satisfying a prescribed condition according to the preset connection method,

wherein the wireless access point includes an announcement collection system that collects the announcement data transmitted according to the preset connection method for a prescribed period of time,

wherein, after the collection of the announcement data by the announcement collection system is finished, the notification transmission system transmits the notification data to a wireless station transmitting announcement data according to the same connection method as announcement data included in the collected announcement data,

wherein the announcement transmission system of the wireless station transmits the announcement data associating identification data for identifying the wireless station,

wherein the announcement collection system of the wireless access point collects the announcement data together with the identification data associated with the announcement data, and

wherein the notification transmission system transmits the notification data only to wireless stations transmitting announcement data associated with the same identification data as announcement data already collected by the announcement collection system.

80. A communication terminal of a wireless LAN system in which data communication between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

the wireless station including:

a method switching system that switches the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless access point to each of the connection methods in turn at preset time intervals;

an announcement transmission system that transmits announcement data, for announcing the switched connection method to devices around the wireless station, according to the switched connection method on each switching of the connection method by the method switching system; and

a method setting system that stops the connection method switching by the method switching system when notification data, for notifying the wireless station that wireless connection by use of the same connection method as the transmitted announcement data is possible, is received during a period between the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system and the connection method switching by the method switching system to the next connection method and thereby sets the connection method at the point of the stop of the connection method switching as the connection method for the wireless connection to the wireless access point,

the wireless access point including a notification transmission system that transmits the notification data to the wireless station when the announcement data transmitted according to the preset connection method is received from the wireless station,

wherein the wireless access point includes encryption switching system which switches an encryption method employed for the data communication with each wireless station, and

wherein in cases where the wireless access point has been set to a state for executing the data communication by encrypting data with a first encryption key after the transmission of the notification data by the notification transmission system, the encryption switching system switches the encryption method to a method executing the data communication without encryption only for data communication with each wireless station to which the notification data has been transmitted,

wherein the wireless access point is connected with the communication terminal capable of data communication with the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless station includes;

an encryption key acquisition system which acquires the first encryption key from the communication terminal via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem; and

an encryption alteration system which alters settings of the wireless station so that data communication with the wireless access point will be executed employing the encryption with the first encryption key, by releasing the wireless connection with the wireless access point and reestablishing the wireless connection employing the encryption with the first encryption key when the first encryption key is acquired from the communication terminal by the encryption key acquisition system,

wherein the communication terminal includes encryption key transfer system which transfers the first encryption key to the wireless station via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem, and

wherein the encryption switching system of the wireless access point does not execute the switching of the encryption method after the wireless connection with the wireless station is released.

81. A communication terminal of a wireless LAN system in which data communication between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

the wireless station including:

a method switching system that switches the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless access point to each of the connection methods in turn at preset time intervals;

an announcement transmission system that transmits announcement data, for announcing the switched connection method to devices around the wireless station, according to the switched connection method on each switching of the connection method by the method switching system; and

a method setting system that stops the connection method switching by the method switching system when notification data, for notifying the wireless station that wireless connection by use of the same connection method as the transmitted announcement data is possible, is received during a period between the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system and the connection method switching by the method switching system to the next connection method and thereby sets the connection method at the point of the stop of the connection method switching as the connection method for the wireless connection to the wireless access point,

the wireless access point including a notification transmission system that transmits the notification data to the wireless station when the announcement data transmitted according to the preset connection method is received from the wireless station,

wherein the notification transmission system of the wireless access point is configured to transmit the notification data attaching a second encryption key, which is different from a first encryption key being employed for encrypting the data communication by the wireless access point, to the notification data,

wherein the wireless access point includes encryption switching system which, after the transmission of the notification data by the notification transmission system, switches an encryption method employed for data communication with each wireless station to which the notification data has been transmitted, to a method executing the data communication by encrypting data with the second encryption key, and

wherein the wireless station includes encryption setting system which, after the reception of the notification data from the wireless access point, sets the wireless station to execute the data communication with the wireless access point by encrypting data with the second encryption key attached to the notification data,

wherein the wireless access point is connected with the communication terminal capable of data communication with the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless station includes;

an encryption key acquisition system which acquires the first encryption key from the communication terminal via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem; and

an encryption alteration system which alters settings of the wireless station so that data communication with the wireless access point will be executed employing the encryption with the first encryption key, by releasing the wireless connection with the wireless access point and reestablishing the wireless connection employing the encryption with the first encryption key when the first encryption key is acquired from the communication terminal by the encryption key acquisition system,

wherein the communication terminal includes encryption key transfer system which transfers the first encryption key to the wireless station via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem, and

wherein the encryption switching system of the wireless access point does not execute the switching of the encryption method after the wireless connection with the wireless station is released.

82. A communication terminal of a wireless LAN system in which data communication between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless access point includes:

a reply request system which transmits reply request data, for requesting a reply, to the wireless station according to each of the connection methods; and

a method notification system which transmits notification data, for notifying the wireless station of the connection method preset to the wireless access point, to the wireless station according to the same connection method as reply data when the reply data as the reply to the reply request data is received after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply request system, and

wherein the wireless station includes;

a reply transmission system which transmits the reply data to the wireless access point when the request data transmitted from the wireless access point according to a connection method preset to the wireless station is received; and

a method setting system which sets the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless station to the connection method notified by the notification data when the notification data transmitted according to the connection method preset to the wireless station is received after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply transmission system,

wherein the method notification system of the wireless access point transmits the notification data to a wireless station returning reply data that is selected from all the reply data, returned after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply request system is started, based on an instruction from outside, and

wherein the method notification system of the wireless access point is configured to determine the wireless station to which the notification data should be transmitted according to an instruction from the communication terminal which is connected to the wireless access point to communicate data.

83. A communication terminal of a wireless LAN system in which data communication between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless access point includes:

a reply request system which transmits reply request data, for requesting a reply, to the wireless station according to each of the connection methods; and

a method notification system which transmits notification data, for notifying the wireless station of the connection method preset to the wireless access point, to the wireless station according to the same connection method as reply data when the reply data as the reply to the reply request data is received after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply request system, and

wherein the wireless station includes;

a reply transmission system which transmits the reply data to the wireless access point when the request data transmitted from the wireless access point according to a connection method preset to the wireless station is received; and

a method setting system which sets the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless station to the connection method notified by the notification data when the notification data transmitted according to the connection method preset to the wireless station is received after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply transmission system, wherein data is transmitted between the wireless station and the wireless access point according to each of the plurality of connection methods before the connection method of the wireless station is set,

wherein the wireless access point includes encryption switching system which switches an encryption method employed for the data communication with each wireless station, and

wherein, in cases where the wireless access point has been set to a state for executing the data communication by encrypting data with a first encryption key after the transmission of the notification data by the method notification system, the encryption switching system switches the encryption method to a method executing the data communication without encryption only for data communication with each wireless station to which the notification data has been transmitted,

wherein the wireless access point is connected with the communication terminal capable of data communication with the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless station includes;

an encryption key acquisition system which acquires the first encryption key from the communication terminal via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem; and

an encryption alteration system which alters settings of the wireless station so that data communication with the wireless access point will be executed employing the encryption with the first encryption key, by releasing the wireless connection with the wireless access point and reestablishing the wireless connection employing the encryption with the first encryption key when the first encryption key is acquired from the communication terminal by the encryption key acquisition system, and

the communication terminal includes encryption key transfer system which transfers the first encryption key to the wireless station via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem, and

wherein the encryption switching system of the wireless access point does not execute the switching of the encryption method after the wireless connection with the wireless station is released.

84. A communication terminal which functions as a wireless station of a wireless LAN system in which data communication between the wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless access point includes:

a reply request system which transmits reply request data, for requesting a reply, to the wireless station according to each of the connection methods; and

a method notification system which transmits notification data, for notifying the wireless station of the connection method preset to the wireless access point, to the wireless station according to the same connection method as reply data when the reply data as the reply to the reply request data is received after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply request system, and

wherein the wireless station includes;

a reply transmission system which transmits the reply data to the wireless access point when the request data transmitted from the wireless access point according to a connection method preset to the wireless station is received; and

a method setting system which sets the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless station to the connection method notified by the notification data when the notification data transmitted according to the connection method preset to the wireless station is received after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply transmission system, wherein data is transmitted between the wireless station and the wireless access point according to each of the plurality of connection methods before the connection method of the wireless station is set.

85. A communication terminal which functions as a wireless access point of a wireless LAN system in which data communication between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and the wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless access point includes:

a reply request system which transmits reply request data, for requesting a reply, to the wireless station according to each of the connection methods; and

a method notification system which transmits notification data, for notifying the wireless station of the connection method preset to the wireless access point, to the wireless station according to the same connection method as reply data when the reply data as the reply to the reply request data is received after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply request system, and

wherein the wireless station includes;

a reply transmission system which transmits the reply data to the wireless access point when the request data transmitted from the wireless access point according to a connection method preset to the wireless station is received; and

a method setting system which sets the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless station to the connection method notified by the notification data when the notification data transmitted according to the connection method preset to the wireless station is received after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply transmission system, wherein data is transmitted between the wireless station and the wireless access point according to each of the plurality of connection methods before the connection method of the wireless station is set.

86. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium that stores a program for causing a computer to function as a wireless station of a wireless LAN system in which data communication between the wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

the program comprising instructions for:

causing the wireless access point to transmit reply request data, for requesting a reply, to the wireless station according to each of the connection methods; and

causing the wireless access point to transmit notification data, for notifying the wireless station of the connection method preset to the wireless access point, to the wireless station according to the same connection method as reply data when the reply data as the reply to the reply request data is received after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply request system, and

causing the wireless station to transmit the reply data to the wireless access point when the request data transmitted from the wireless access point according to a connection method preset to the wireless station is received; and

setting the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless station to the connection method notified by the notification data when the notification data transmitted according to the connection method preset to the wireless station is received after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply transmission system, wherein data is transmitted between the wireless station and the wireless access point according to each of the plurality of connection methods before the connection method of the wireless station is set.

87. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium that stores a program for causing a computer to function as a wireless access point of a wireless LAN system in which data communication between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and the wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

the program comprising instructions for:

causing the wireless access point to transmit reply request data, for requesting a reply, to the wireless station according to each of the connection methods; and

causing the wireless access point to transmit notification data, for notifying the wireless station of the connection method preset to the wireless access point, to the wireless station according to the same connection method as reply data when the reply data as the reply to the reply request data is received after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply request system, and

causing the wireless station to transmit the reply data to the wireless access point when the request data transmitted from the wireless access point according to a connection method preset to the wireless station is received; and

setting the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless station to the connection method notified by the notification data when the notification data transmitted according to the connection method preset to the wireless station is received after the transmission of the reply request data by the reply transmission system, wherein data is transmitted between the wireless station and the wireless access point according to each of the plurality of connection methods before the connection method of the wireless station is set.

88. A communication terminal of a wireless LAN system in which data communication between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless access point includes announcement transmission system which transmits announcement data, for announcing that the connection method of the wireless access point has been set to a particular one selected from the connection methods, according to each of the connection methods, and

wherein the wireless station includes method setting system which sets the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless access point to the particular connection method announced by the announcement data when the announcement data transmitted according to a preset connection method is received from the wireless access point,

wherein the connection permission system of the wireless access point transmits the request reminder data to a wireless station returning reply data that is selected from all the reply data, returned after the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system is started, based on an instruction from outside,

wherein the connection permission system of the wireless access point is configured to determine the wireless station to which the request reminder data should be transmitted according to an instruction from the communication terminal which is connected to the wireless access point to communicate data, and

wherein the wireless access point includes a mode switching system capable of switching an operation mode of the wireless access point to either one selected from a support mode supporting the setting of the connection method of each wireless station by executing the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system and a normal mode not supporting the setting of the connection method without executing the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system.

89. A communication terminal of a wireless LAN system in which data communication between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless access point includes announcement transmission system which transmits announcement data, for announcing that the connection method of the wireless access point has been set to a particular one selected from the connection methods, according to each of the connection methods, and

wherein the wireless station includes method setting system which sets the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless access point to the particular connection method announced by the announcement data when the announcement data transmitted according to a preset connection method is received from the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless access point includes encryption switching system which switches an encryption method employed for the data communication with each wireless station, and

wherein in cases where the wireless access point has been set to a state for executing the data communication by encrypting data with a first encryption key after the transmission of the request reminder data by the connection permission system, the encryption switching system switches the encryption method to a method executing the data communication without encryption only for data communication with each wireless station to which the request reminder data has been transmitted,

wherein the wireless access point is connected with the communication terminal capable of data communication with the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless station includes:

an encryption key acquisition system which acquires the first encryption key from the communication terminal via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem; and

an encryption alteration system which alters settings of the wireless station so that data communication with the wireless access point will be executed employing the encryption with the first encryption key, by releasing the wireless connection with the wireless access point and reestablishing the wireless connection employing the encryption with the first encryption key when the first encryption key is acquired from the communication terminal by the encryption key acquisition system,

wherein the communication terminal includes encryption key transfer system which transfers the first encryption key to the wireless station via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem, and

wherein the encryption switching system of the wireless access point does not execute the switching of the encryption method after the wireless connection with the wireless station is released.

90. A communication terminal of a wireless LAN system in which data communication between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless access point includes announcement transmission system which transmits announcement data, for announcing that the connection method of the wireless access point has been set to a particular one selected from the connection methods, according to each of the connection methods, and

wherein the wireless station includes method setting system which sets the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless access point to the particular connection method announced by the announcement data when the announcement data transmitted according to a preset connection method is received from the wireless access point,

wherein the connection permission system of the wireless access point is configured to transmit the request reminder data attaching a second encryption key, which is different from a first encryption key being employed for encrypting the data communication by the wireless access point, to the request reminder data,

wherein the wireless access point includes encryption switching system which, after the transmission of the request reminder data by the connection permission system, switches an encryption method employed for data communication with each wireless station to which the request reminder data has been transmitted, to a method executing the data communication by encrypting data with the second encryption key, and

wherein the wireless station includes encryption setting system which, after the reception of the request reminder data from the wireless access point, sets the wireless station to execute the data communication with the wireless access point by encrypting data with the second encryption key attached to the request reminder data,

wherein the wireless access point is connected with the communication terminal capable of data communication with the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless station includes:

an encryption key acquisition system which acquires the first encryption key from the communication terminal via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem; and

an encryption alteration system which alters settings of the wireless station so that data communication with the wireless access point will be executed employing the encryption with the first encryption key, by releasing the wireless connection with the wireless access point and reestablishing the wireless connection employing the encryption with the first encryption key when the first encryption key is acquired from the communication terminal by the encryption key acquisition system,

wherein the communication terminal includes encryption key transfer system which transfers the first encryption key to the wireless station via the wireless access point by the public key cryptosystem, and

wherein the encryption switching system of the wireless access point does not execute the switching of the encryption method after the wireless connection with the wireless station is released.

91. A wireless station of a wireless LAN system in which data communication between the wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless access point includes announcement transmission system which transmits announcement data, for announcing that the connection method of the wireless access point has been set to a particular one selected from the plurality of connection methods, according to each of the plurality of connection methods,

wherein the announcement transmission system of the wireless access point is configured to transmit data for requesting a reply made according to the particular connection method as the announcement data,

wherein the wireless access point includes a connection permission system which establishes the wireless connection with the wireless station by transmitting a request reminder data for letting the wireless station request permission for the wireless connection to the wireless access point when reply data returned from the wireless station according to the announcement data is received after the transmission of the announcement data is started by the announcement transmission system and thereafter transmitting connection permission data indicating permission for the wireless connection to the wireless access point when permission request data as data for requesting the permission for the wireless connection is received from the wireless station,

wherein the wireless station includes method setting system which sets the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless access point to the particular connection method announced by the announcement data when the announcement data transmitted according to a preset connection method is received from the wireless access point, wherein data is transmitted between the wireless station and the wireless access point according to each of the plurality of connection methods before the connection method of the wireless station is set,

wherein the wireless station further includes:

a reply system which returns the reply data representing the reply requested by the announcement data to the wireless access point according to the particular connection method announced by the announcement data when the announcement data is received from the wireless access point; and

a connection establishment system which establishes the wireless connection with the wireless access point via the transmission of the permission request data and the reception of the connection permission data when the request reminder data transmitted by the wireless access point is received after the reply system transmitted the reply data to the wireless access point, and

wherein the wireless access point includes a mode switching system capable of switching an operation mode of the wireless access point to either one selected from a support mode supporting the setting of the connection method of each wireless station by executing the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system and a normal mode not supporting the setting of the connection method without executing the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system.

92. A wireless access point of a wireless LAN system in which data communication between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and the wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless access point includes announcement transmission system which transmits announcement data, for announcing that the connection method of the wireless access point has been set to a particular one selected from the plurality of connection methods, according to each of the plurality of connection methods,

wherein the announcement transmission system of the wireless access point is configured to transmit data for requesting a reply made according to the particular connection method as the announcement data,

wherein the wireless access point includes a connection permission system which establishes the wireless connection with the wireless station by transmitting a request reminder data for letting the wireless station request permission for the wireless connection to the wireless access point when reply data returned from the wireless station according to the announcement data is received after the transmission of the announcement data is started by the announcement transmission system and thereafter transmitting connection permission data indicating permission for the wireless connection to the wireless access point when permission request data as data for requesting the permission for the wireless connection is received from the wireless station,

wherein the wireless station includes method setting system which sets the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless access point to the particular connection method announced by the announcement data when the announcement data transmitted according to a preset connection method is received from the wireless access point, wherein data is transmitted between the wireless station and the wireless access point according to each of the plurality of connection methods before the connection method of the wireless station is set,

wherein the wireless station further includes:

a reply system which returns the reply data representing the reply requested by the announcement data to the wireless access point according to the particular connection method announced by the announcement data when the announcement data is received from the wireless access point; and

a connection establishment system which establishes the wireless connection with the wireless access point via the transmission of the permission request data and the reception of the connection permission data when the request reminder data transmitted by the wireless access point is received after the reply system transmitted the reply data to the wireless access point, and

wherein the wireless access point includes a mode switching system capable of switching an operation mode of the wireless access point to either one selected from a support mode supporting the setting of the connection method of each wireless station by executing the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system and a normal mode not supporting the setting of the connection method without executing the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system.

93. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium that stores a program for causing a computer to function as a wireless station of a wireless LAN system in which data communication between the wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point, the program comprising instructions for:

causing the wireless access point to transmit announcement data, for announcing that the connection method of the wireless access point has been set to a particular one selected from the connection methods, according to each of the connection methods,

causing the wireless access point to transmit data for requesting a reply made according to the particular connection method as the announcement data,

causing the wireless access point to transmit, in order to establish the connection with the wireless station, a request reminder data for letting the wireless station request permission for the wireless connection to the wireless access point when reply data returned from the wireless station according to the announcement data is received after the transmission of the announcement data is started and thereafter causing the wireless access point to transmit connection permission data indicating permission for the wireless connection to the wireless access point when permission request data as data for requesting the permission for the wireless connection is received from the wireless station,

setting the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless access point to the particular connection method announced by the announcement data when the announcement data transmitted according to a preset connection method is received from the wireless access point, wherein data is transmitted between the wireless station and the wireless access point according to each of the plurality of connection methods before the connection method of the wireless station is set,

causing the wireless station to return the reply data representing the reply requested by the announcement data to the wireless access point according to the particular connection method announced by the announcement data when the announcement data is received from the wireless access point,

causing the wireless station to establish the wireless connection with the wireless access point via the transmission of the permission request data and the reception of the connection permission data when the request reminder data transmitted by the wireless access point is received after the reply data is transmitted to the wireless access point, and

causing an operation mode of the wireless access point to switch to either one selected from a support mode supporting the setting of the connection method of each wireless station by executing the transmission of the announcement data and a normal mode not supporting the setting of the connection method without executing the transmission of the announcement data.

94. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium that stores a program for causing a computer to function as a wireless access point of a wireless LAN system in which data communication between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and the wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point, the program comprising instructions for:

causing the wireless access point to transmit announcement data, for announcing that the connection method of the wireless access point has been set to a particular one selected from the connection methods, according to each of the connection methods,

causing the wireless access point to transmit data for requesting a reply made according to the particular connection method as the announcement data,

causing the wireless access point to transmit, in order to establish the connection with the wireless station, a request reminder data for letting the wireless station request permission for the wireless connection to the wireless access point when reply data returned from the wireless station according to the announcement data is received after the transmission of the announcement data is started and thereafter causing the wireless access point to transmit connection permission data indicating permission for the wireless connection to the wireless access point when permission request data as data for requesting the permission for the wireless connection is received from the wireless station,

setting the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless access point to the particular connection method announced by the announcement data when the announcement data transmitted according to a preset connection method is received from the wireless access point, wherein data is transmitted between the wireless station and the wireless access point according to each of the plurality of connection methods before the connection method of the wireless station is set,

causing the wireless station to return the reply data representing the reply requested by the announcement data to the wireless access point according to the particular connection method announced by the announcement data when the announcement data is received from the wireless access point,

causing the wireless station to establish the wireless connection with the wireless access point via the transmission of the permission request data and the reception of the connection permission data when the request reminder data transmitted by the wireless access point is received after the reply data is transmitted to the wireless access point, and

causing an operation mode of the wireless access point to switch to either one selected from a support mode supporting the setting of the connection method of each wireless station by executing the transmission of the announcement data and a normal mode not supporting the setting of the connection method without executing the transmission of the announcement data.

95. A wireless station of a wireless LAN system in which data communication between the wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point,

the wireless station including:

a method switching system that switches the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless access point to each of the connection methods in turn at preset time intervals;

an announcement transmission system that transmits announcement data, for announcing the switched connection method to devices around the wireless station, according to the switched connection method on each switching of the connection method by the method switching system; and

a method setting system that stops the connection method switching by the method switching system when notification data, for notifying the wireless station that wireless connection by use of the same connection method as the transmitted announcement data is possible, is received during a period between the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system and the connection method switching by the method switching system to the next connection method and thereby sets the connection method at the point of the stop of the connection method switching as the connection method for the wireless connection to the wireless access point,

wherein the wireless access point transmits a request reminder data, for reminding the wireless station to request permission of the wireless access point for wireless connection, to the wireless station as the notification data when the announcement data transmitted according to the preset connection method is received and thereafter transmits an association reply, giving the wireless station permission for the wireless connection, to the wireless station when an association request as data for requesting the permission for the wireless connection is received from the wireless station such that wireless communication between the wireless station and the wireless access point is established,

wherein the wireless access point transmits the notification data to wireless stations transmitting the announcement data satisfying a prescribed condition according to the preset connection method,

wherein the wireless access point includes an announcement collection system which collects the announcement data transmitted according to the preset connection method for a prescribed period of time,

wherein, after the collection of the announcement data by the announcement collection system is finished, the wireless access point transmits the notification data to a wireless station transmitting announcement data according to the same connection method as announcement data included in the collected announcement data,

wherein the announcement transmission system of the wireless station transmits the announcement data associating identification data for identifying the wireless station,

wherein the announcement collection system of the wireless access point collects the announcement data together with the identification data associated with the announcement data, and

wherein the wireless access point transmits the notification data only to wireless stations transmitting announcement data associated with the same identification data as announcement data already collected by the announcement collection system.

96. A method for data communication in an wireless LAN system between a wireless station whose connection method as a method for wireless connection can be set to one of a plurality of connection methods and a wireless access point whose connection method has been preset to one of the connection methods is made possible by setting the connection method of the wireless station to a method identical with the connection method of the wireless access point, the method comprising:

switching the connection method of the wireless station for the wireless connection to the wireless access point to each of the connection methods in turn at preset time intervals;

transmitting announcement data, for announcing the switched connection method to devices around the wireless station, according to the switched connection method on each switching of the connection method by the method switching system;

stopping the connection method switching when notification data, for notifying the wireless station that wireless connection by use of the same connection method as the transmitted announcement data is possible, is received during a period between the transmission of the announcement data by the announcement transmission system and the connection method switching by the method switching system to the next connection method and thereby setting the connection method at the point of the stopping of the connection method switching as the connection method for the wireless connection to the wireless access point, and

transmitting a request reminder data, for reminding the wireless station to request permission of the wireless access point for wireless connection, to the wireless station as the notification data when the announcement data transmitted according to the preset connection method is received and thereafter transmitting an association reply, giving the wireless station permission for the wireless connection, to the wireless station when an association request as data for requesting the permission for the wireless connection is received from the wireless station,

wherein the notification data is transmitted to wireless stations transmitting the announcement data satisfying a prescribed condition according to the preset connection method,

wherein the announcement data transmitted according to the preset connection method is collected for a prescribed period of time,

wherein, after the collection of the announcement data is finished, the notification data is transmitted to a wireless station transmitting announcement data according to the same connection method as announcement data included in the collected announcement data,

wherein the announcement data associating identification data for identifying the wireless station is transmitted,

wherein the announcement data is collected together with the identification data associated with the announcement data, and

wherein the notification data is transmitted only to wireless stations transmitting announcement data associated with the same identification data as announcement data already collected.