JP2004235814A - Method for setting retrieval area of portable terminal and method of using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for setting the retrieval area of a portable terminal allowing the easy setting and a method for using the same without requiring a large-scale system including a host server. <P>SOLUTION: The setting method appropriately selects a retrieval area configuration for a portable terminal 100 out of the retrieval area configurations stored on a storage section 11 so that the selected retrieval area configuration for the portable terminal 100 may conform to the usage. A control section 30 sets a position and a range for actually using the configuration by using positional data obtained by a GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) receiver 14. Thus, the setting is exactly easily executed. Upon setting the retrieval area-stored portable terminal to an operation state, the GPS positional data associated with the present location of the portable terminal are read, and the stored retrieval area is then read to determine whether the read GPS positional data are located in the movable region of the read retrieval area. When the read GPS position data are not located in the movable region, warning is issued. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal device, and more particularly to a search area setting method for setting a search area in a mobile terminal device to automatically detect when the location of the mobile terminal device deviates from a desired position, and use thereof. About the method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, position information services using GPS (Global Positioning System) have become widespread. For example, theft prevention, the search for a stolen object, and the search for a person are performed. These services use the current location information obtained from the GPS receiver, compare a preset location with the current location, and issue a warning when it is determined that the location is abnormal. As described above, the position search service using GPS has been evolving from a service that specifies a current location to a service that sets an area and issues an alarm.
[0003]
As described above, in the case of a service that issues an alarm by setting an area, setting an area is one of the important factors in operating the system, but the setting method is a latitude, a longitude, You have to take complicated methods such as storing the altitude in memory and downloading it. For example, the technology of the invention “Anti-theft device” disclosed in Patent Document 1 applies the system to theft prevention of lending of goods in a theme park or the like, and the area, that is, the area information of the theme park (the boundary information of the area). (Latitude, longitude, altitude, etc.) is stored in a built-in memory, but there is no specific example, and it is not clear how to actually execute it.
[0004]
In addition to the above-mentioned conventional example, the invention “mobile safety confirmation device and its portable terminal” disclosed in Patent Document 2 applies the above system when a person or the like deviates from a specific route, and stores it in a storage unit. A technique is proposed in which a moving route, a map, and the like are recorded. How this travel route is set is not described in detail, but when a user sets a travel route on a map on a mobile terminal, it is necessary to store map data in the mobile terminal. In order to store map data in a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal needs to be provided with a memory for storing map data and an output unit for displaying. Therefore, the portable terminal has a large shape and is expensive. Here, it is conceivable that the travel route can be transmitted from the server, but in that case, a higher-level system is required, and there is a problem that the system scale becomes large.
[0005]
Further, in the invention “collision avoidance and train approach detector using GPS device” disclosed in Patent Document 3, plane crossing data is stored in the form of position information, and a defense range is created around the vehicle. A technique has been proposed in which an area is formed in a different way from the above, in which a warning is issued when a level crossing enters a defensive area. In this case, there is a problem that the size of the defense range is determined by the speed and cannot be arbitrarily formed. Furthermore, the invention "position confirmation system" described in Patent Literature 4 proposes a system that warns of a deviation from a predetermined range at a terminal on the searched person side. In this case, as to the setting of the predetermined range, it is described that the fixed searcher terminal has the free action range setting means, and it is necessary to transmit the area information from the server side to the mobile terminal. For this reason, there is a problem that the operation of the portable terminal alone cannot be performed, and the scale of the system becomes large.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-155878 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2000-076289 A
[Patent Document 3]
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-516076
[Patent Document 4]
JP 2001-99672 A
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem, and it is possible to set and use a search area in a portable terminal device without requiring a large-scale system such as a higher-order server. An object of the present invention is to provide a search area setting method and a use method of a mobile terminal device which can be easily performed.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention provides a search area setting method for setting a search area in a mobile terminal device in order to automatically detect when the location of the mobile terminal device deviates from a desired position. A search area forming program capable of forming search areas of various shapes is stored in a storage unit of the portable terminal device, and a search area of a desired shape is selected from the search area forming programs capable of forming search areas of various shapes. Is selected as a selected search area forming program, and position data by GPS is acquired and selected in order to set the position and dimensions of the actual search area formed by the selected search area forming program. Using the GPS position data acquired according to the completed search area formation program Forming a A, specifies that the immovable area and movable area for the formation actual search area that stores the actual search area after specifying the storage unit.
[0009]
According to such a configuration, the shape of the search area can be selected from those stored in the storage unit so as to be suitable for use, and the position and range for actually using the shape can be set. Is performed using GPS position data, so that it can be executed accurately and easily.
[0010]
In the present invention, when the mobile terminal device in which the search area is stored as described above is set to the operating state, the GPS position data relating to the current location of the mobile terminal device is read, and the stored search area is read. Then, it is determined whether the read GPS position data is in the movable area or the non-movable area of the read search area. Therefore, a warning can be issued when the user is in the immovable area. In such a case, the person can be pulled back early.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the portable terminal device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a memory map showing each storage area of a storage unit of the portable terminal device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a display unit of FIG. FIG. 4 shows a case where the boundary of the search area shown on the screen is formed by a circle, the inside of the boundary is a movable area, and the outside is a non-movable area, and FIG. 4 is the reverse of FIG. FIG. 5 shows a case where a search area is formed by a straight line having a predetermined width, its outer edge is used as a boundary of the search area, the inside of the boundary is used as a movable area, and the outside is used as an immovable area. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a case opposite to the case of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a diagram in which a boundary of the search area is formed by a polygon, the inside of the boundary is a movable area, and the outside is a non-movable area. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a case where a possible area is set, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a case opposite to the case of FIG.
[0012]
9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit in FIG. 1, FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of setting a search area by specifying a circle shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart in FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of setting a search area with the outer edge of a wide straight line as a boundary. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a modification of the search area setting shown in FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of setting a search area with a polygon as a boundary (S6) shown in FIG. 9, and FIG. 14 is a modification of the search area setting shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the example, and FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a method of using the mobile terminal device after the search area is set.
[0013]
The mobile terminal device 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a GPS function unit 10, a mobile phone function unit 20, and a control unit 30 that controls both. The GPS function unit 10 includes a storage unit 11, a display unit 12, an operation unit 13, a GPS receiver 14, and a GPS antenna 15, and the mobile phone function unit 20 includes a reception unit 21, a transmission unit 22, , And a telephone antenna 23. The storage unit 11 has a program code, a work memory, and storage areas 11a to 11d (see FIG. 2) used in this embodiment. The display unit 12 includes an LCD, an LED, and the like, and displays various data. The operation unit 13 is a key or an icon displayed on the display unit 12. The GPS receiver 14 receives a GPS signal via the GPS antenna 15 and passes the received data to the control unit 30 as position data.
[0014]
The control unit 30 stores the GPS position data received as described above and other necessary data in the storage unit 11. FIG. 2 shows a part of the contents of the data stored in the storage unit 11 by the control unit 30 according to the memory map. That is, the storage area 11a stores position data acquired from the GPS for area formation and registered at the time of setting. The storage area 11b stores area shape data for determining the shape of a search area formed from the position data stored in the storage area 11a, and allows selection of desired area shape data from the data. The storage area 11c stores search area data stored in the storage area 11b and formed from the selected area shape data and the position data stored in the storage area 11a. The storage area 11d stores position data of the current location acquired when the mobile terminal device 100 is used after the setting is completed. This position data is used to determine whether or not the current location where the mobile terminal device 100 is located is in a movable area. In this example, if necessary, the control unit 30 drives the reception unit 21 or the transmission unit 22 of the mobile phone function unit 20, and performs data communication with a remote system via the telephone antenna 23. You can also. Note that the mobile phone function unit 20 may be omitted if not required.
[0015]
Next, a search area setting function by the control unit 30 of the mobile terminal device 100 in FIG. 1 will be described. First, the concept of various search areas (or boundaries of search areas) set by the control unit 30 will be described. FIG. 3 shows a case where the search area displayed on the screen of the display unit in FIG. 1 is selected to be formed as a circle. This search area can be represented by the designation of the center point (center position) CC of the circle and its radius R. In addition to this, an arbitrary point PP is defined, and between this point PP and the center point CC. May be a radius. Since the area can be divided into an outer side and an inner side with the circumference as a boundary, in some cases, as shown in FIG. 3, the inner side of the circumference is defined as a movable area, and the outer side is defined as a non-movable area. In other cases, as shown in FIG. 4, the inside of the circumference can be defined as an immovable area, and the outside can be defined as a movable area.
[0016]
FIG. 5 shows a case where the search area is expressed as a straight line having a width and its continuation. When this straight line is formed, designated points (designated positions) Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, which are sequentially designated, are sequentially connected by a straight line, and a range within a designated distance from the designated point and a straight line connecting the designated points. May be used as a search area, and its outer edge may be used as the boundary of the search area. Using this boundary, the outside and inside of the search area can be distinguished. In some cases, the inside of the boundary is defined as a movable area as shown in FIG. 5, and the outside is defined as a non-movable area. In other cases, as shown in FIG. The outside can be defined as a movable area. In this figure, the number of designated points is four, but any number of points can be applied as long as the number is two or more. The boundary is formed by setting a circle having a designated radius such that the center is located at the designated point Q1, and moving the center of the circle to the designated point Q4 so as to pass through the straight line and the designated point. The outermost line of the locus of the circle may be used as the boundary.
[0017]
FIG. 7 shows a case where the search area (or the boundary of the search area) is represented by a polygon. When this area is formed, the designated points (designated positions) T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5, which are sequentially designated, are connected by straight lines, and the outside and inside are bounded by a polygon (a pentagon in this example) as a boundary. Can be divided into In some cases, the inside of the boundary is defined as a movable area, and the outside is defined as a non-movable area. In other cases, as shown in FIG. 8, the inside of the boundary is a non-movable area, and the outside is a movable area. Can also be defined. In this example, the number of designated points is five. However, it goes without saying that any number of points can be applied as long as the number is three or more.
[0018]
Next, the operation of the control unit (that is, the content of the search area forming program) for setting the area whose concept has been described in FIGS. 3 to 8 in the portable terminal device will be described with reference to FIGS. . As shown in FIG. 9, in the portable terminal device 100 of FIG. 1, the control unit 30 monitors the operation of the operation unit 13 and determines whether or not the circle designation has been selected as the area (S1). When the circle designation is selected, the circle designation is set (S2; details will be described later). When the circle designation is not selected, it is determined whether or not the line width designation is selected (S3). . If the line width designation is selected, the setting of the line width designation is performed (S4; details will be described later). If the line width designation is not selected, it is determined whether or not the polygon designation is selected. (S5). When the polygon designation is selected, the setting of the polygon designation is performed (S6; details will be described later). When the polygon designation is not selected, it is determined whether the setting is completed (S7). . The determination in step S7 is also performed when the setting of the circle designation (S2), the setting of the line width designation (S4), and the setting of the polygon designation (S6) are completed. If it is determined in step S7 that the setting is not completed, the process returns to step S1 to repeat the above-described operation. If the setting is completed, the setting is completed.
[0019]
(Contents of search area formation program of search area setting by specifying a circle)
The details of the circle designation setting (S2) shown in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG. An instruction is given from the operation unit 13, the position data of the current position is acquired from the data received by the GPS receiver 14, and the position data is registered in the storage area 11a of the storage unit 11 as the center point CC of the circle (S21). A radius with respect to the center point CC is specified (S22). As a method of designating the radius, for example, the radius may be designated by data received by the GPS receiver 14 when it is moved to a position designated as one point on the circumference, or the radius may be stored in the storage area 11b of the storage unit 11 in advance. Select from or specify any value.
[0020]
The shape of the area formed by the circle as described above is stored in the storage area 11c of the storage unit 11. Next, it is determined whether the detection of the crossing of the circumference of the stored area is “from inside the circumference to outside the circumference” or “from inside the circumference to outside the circumference” (S23). For example, if the outside of the circumference is a movable area and the inside of the circumference is a non-movable area, the detection flag is set to be raised when "the movement has been made from outside the circumference to inside the circumference" (S24). If the outside of the circumference is a non-movable area and the inside of the circumference is a movable area, a setting is made to set a detection flag in the case of "moving from inside the circumference to outside the circumference" (S25). In this case, if the detection flag is set when the mobile terminal device 100 is used, an alarm can be issued, the administrator can be notified by a telephone function, and appropriate measures can be taken.
[0021]
(Contents of search area formation program of search area setting by line width specification)
The setting of the search area including the line width designation (S4) shown in FIG. 9 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. An instruction to start a search area setting by specifying a line width is given from the operation unit 13 to obtain position data of the current location (for example, the specified point Q1 in FIG. 5) from data received by the GPS receiver 14, and the storage unit 11 is used as a start point. (S41). Therefore, the user moves to the next designated point (for example, designated point Q2) (S42), and similarly acquires position data and stores it in the storage area 11a (S43). It is determined whether or not there is another designated point (via point) (S44). If there is another designated point (for example, designated points Q3, Q4), the process returns to step S42 and the same processing is repeated.
[0022]
When there is no further designated point, the designated point at which the position data was obtained last is the end point, and the starting point to the end point are connected by a straight line in the order of the designated points at which the position data was acquired, and the line shape is stored in the storage area 11c. It is stored (S45). The designated points Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 included in the line shape stored in the storage area 11c and a straight line connecting them to a predetermined distance are defined as a line width, and the straight line having this line width is defined as a search area. To be stored. The line width is specified, for example, by moving to a position corresponding to the line width and specifying the line width based on the data received by the GPS receiver 14 or selecting from the line widths stored in the storage area 11b of the storage unit 11 in advance. And specify (S46).
[0023]
Next, it is determined whether the detection of the crossing of the boundary of the stored area is changed from “from inside the boundary to outside the boundary” (S47). For example, if the outside of the boundary is a movable area and the inside of the boundary is an immovable area, the detection flag is set to be raised when "the object moves from outside the boundary to inside the boundary" (S48). If the outside of the boundary is a non-movable area and the inside of the boundary is a movable area, a setting is made so that a detection flag is set when "moving from inside the boundary to outside the boundary" (S49). In this case, if the detection flag is set when the mobile terminal device 100 is used, an alarm can be issued, the administrator can be notified by a telephone function, and appropriate measures can be taken.
[0024]
(Another case of search area setting by line width specification)
The details of the search area setting (S4) including the line width designation shown in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG. This is a modification of the setting of the search area in FIG. An instruction is given from the operation unit 13, the position data of the current location (for example, the designated point Q1 in FIG. 5) is acquired from the data received by the GPS receiver 14, and stored in the storage area 11a of the storage unit 11 as a start point (S51). ). Movement is started after the start point is stored, and when a predetermined time has elapsed (S52), the location is set as the next designated point (for example, designated point Q2), the position data is acquired, and stored in the storage area 11a (step S52). S53).
[0025]
In the case of the above-described setting method, only the start point and the end point are designated, and in the middle between the two points, the position data is automatically acquired with the lapse of the time to travel the actual route, and the usability is good. . It is determined whether or not the designated point from which the position data is to be acquired has been completed (S54). If the designated point has not been completed and there are more designated points (for example, designated points Q3 and Q4), the process returns to step S52. The same processing is repeated. If the acquisition of the position data has been completed, the process proceeds to the designation of the line width (S55). Subsequent steps S56, S57, and S58 are the same as steps S47, S48, and S49 in FIG.
[0026]
(Contents of search area formation program of search area setting by polygon specification)
Details of the setting of the search area (S6) with the polygon as the boundary shown in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG. An instruction to start a search area setting by specifying a polygon is given from the operation unit 13 in FIG. 1 to acquire position data of the current location (for example, a designated point T1 in FIGS. 7 and 8) from data received by the GPS receiver 14, The start point is stored in the storage area 11a of the storage unit 11 (S61). Then, the user moves to the next designated point (for example, designated point T2) (S62), and similarly acquires position data and stores it in the storage area 11a (S63). It is determined whether or not there is another designated point (via point) (S64). If there is another designated point (for example, designated points T3, T4, T5), the process returns to step S62 and the same processing is repeated.
[0027]
If there are no more designated points, the last point is the designated point at which the position data was obtained, and the start point to the end point are connected by a straight line in the order of the designated points at which the position data was acquired, and the end point is connected to the start point. A polygon is formed and stored in the storage area 11c as a boundary line (S65). Next, it is determined whether the detection of the crossing of the boundary line of the stored area is changed from “from inside the boundary to outside the boundary” (S66). For example, if the outside of the boundary is a movable area and the inside of the boundary is an immovable area, a setting is made so that a detection flag is set in the case of “moving from inside the boundary to inside the boundary” (S67). If the outside of the boundary is a non-movable area and the inside of the boundary is a movable area, a setting is made so that a detection flag is set when "moving from inside the boundary to outside the boundary" (S68). In this way, for example, when a detection flag is set when the mobile terminal device 100 is used, an alarm can be issued, a notification can be given to an administrator by a telephone function, and appropriate measures can be taken.
[0028]
(Another case of search area setting by polygon specification)
Details of the setting of the search area (S6) with the polygon as the boundary shown in FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG. This is a modification of the setting of the search area in FIG. An instruction is given from the operation unit 13, and the position data of the current location (for example, the designated point T1 in FIG. 7) is acquired from the data received by the GPS receiver 14, and stored in the storage area 11a of the storage unit 11 as a start point (S71). ). When the movement starts after the start point is stored and a predetermined time has elapsed (S72), the location is set as the next designated point (for example, the designated point T2), and the position data is acquired and stored in the storage area 11a (S72). S73).
[0029]
In the case of the above-described setting method, only the start point and the end point are designated, and on the way between the two points, the position data is automatically acquired with the elapse of a certain time for moving the actual route, and the usability is improved. Good. It is determined whether or not there is a next waypoint (designated point) from which position data is to be acquired (S74). If there is another waypoint (for example, designated points T3, T4, T5), the process returns to step S72. And the same processing is repeated. If there is no next designated point (via point), connect the end point from the start point to the end point in the order of the designated points from which the position data was acquired, with the designated point at which the position data was acquired last as the end point. A polygon connected to the start point is formed and stored in the storage area 11c as a boundary line (S75). Subsequent steps S76, S77, and S78 are the same as steps S66, S67, and S68 in FIG. In this case, the search area can be set by simply instructing the start point and the end point and then moving along the actual route, which is convenient.
[0030]
Next, the operation of the mobile terminal device 100 when actually using the mobile terminal device 100 in which any of the search areas is set as described above will be described with reference to FIG. By operating the operation unit 13 of the portable terminal device 100, the control unit 30 is instructed to check whether the search area is inside or outside the permitted range. Upon receiving the instruction, the control unit 30 drives the GPS receiver 14, acquires the position data of the current location, and stores it in the storage area 11d of the storage unit 11 (S81). Next, the control unit 30 reads the search area stored in the storage area 11c and the current position data stored in the storage area 11d, and determines whether the read current position data is inside the movable area of the search area. It is determined whether or not it is (S82). If it is inside the movable area, the check ends. If it is outside the movable area, a warning process such as issuing an alarm sound is performed (S83), and the check ends. In addition, as the warning process, when the mobile terminal device 100 has a mobile phone function, an administrator may be automatically called.
[0031]
As a specific usage example of the mobile terminal device 100 with a mobile phone function, for example, when the boundary of the search area stored in the storage area 11c is a circle, the user's house is located at the center of the circle. Then, the radius of the circle is set at an appropriate periphery of the user's house, and the inside of the circle is set as a movable area. The mobile terminal device 100 for which this setting is completed is mounted on a user who may wander. When the user goes out of the movable area, this can be immediately known by a warning from the mobile phone. In this case, the movement route after the warning may be sent to the management server and recorded so as to be traceable. If a search area bounded by the outer edge of a straight line having a width is stored in the storage area 11c, for example, if the search area is set from the station to the home and the inside of the search area is set as a movable area, the student goes to school. If the child deviates from the set route, this can be immediately alerted. As a case where the boundary of the search area is a polygon, an example may be considered in which a dangerous place (for example, a deep swamp, a pond, a minefield, etc.) is included in the polygon. In this case, the inside of the boundary is set as a non-movable area, and a warning process is performed immediately upon entering the search area.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
Since the method of using the search area setting of the portable terminal device according to the present invention is configured as described above, the shape of the search area is stored so as to be suitable for use without the help of a large-scale server or the like. The position and range for actual use of this shape can be set appropriately using GPS position data, so that it can be selected accurately and easily. Can be. In the present invention, when the mobile terminal device in which the search area is stored as described above is set to the operating state, the GPS position data relating to the current location of the mobile terminal device is read, and the stored search area is read. Then, it is determined whether the read GPS position data is in the movable area or the non-movable area of the read search area. Therefore, a warning can be issued when the user is in the immovable area. In such a case, the person can be pulled back early.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a portable terminal device to which a search area setting method and a use method of the present invention are applied.
FIG. 2 is a memory map showing each storage area of a storage unit of the portable terminal device of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a case where a boundary of a search area shown on the screen of the display unit of FIG. 1 is formed by a circle, the inside of the boundary is a movable area, and the outside is an immovable area.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a case where the setting of a movable area and a non-movable area is opposite to that of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a case where a search area is formed by a straight line having a predetermined width, an outer edge of the search area is a boundary of the search area, an inner area of the boundary is a movable area, and an outer area is an immovable area. FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a case where the setting of a movable area and a non-movable area is opposite to that of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a case where a boundary of a search area is formed as a polygon, the inside of the boundary is a movable area, and the outside is an immovable area.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a case where the setting of a movable area and a non-movable area is opposite to that of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control unit in FIG. 1;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of setting a search area by specifying a circle shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of setting a search area having a boundary at the outer edge of a wide straight line as shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a modification of the search area setting shown in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of setting a search area having a polygon as a boundary shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a modification of the search area setting shown in FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of using the mobile terminal device after a search area is set.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 GPS function unit, 11 storage unit, 11a to 11d storage area, 12 display unit, 13 operation unit, 14 GPS receiver, 15 GPS antenna, 20 mobile phone function unit, 21 reception unit, 22 transmission unit, 23 for mobile phone Antenna, 30 control unit, 100 portable terminal device.

Claims (2)

When the location of the mobile terminal device deviates from a desired position, in order to automatically detect this, a search area setting method for setting a search area in the mobile terminal device,
A search area forming program capable of forming search areas of various shapes is stored in a storage unit of the mobile terminal device,
A search area forming program that can form a search area of a desired shape is selected as a selected search area forming program from among search area forming programs that can form search areas of various shapes,
Obtaining position data by GPS to set the position and dimension of the actual search area formed by the selected search area forming program;
Forming an actual search area using the GPS position data obtained according to the selected search area forming program;
A search area setting method for a portable terminal device, in which a movable area and a non-movable area are designated for the formed actual search area, and the designated actual search area is stored in the storage unit. When the mobile terminal device in which the search area according to claim 1 is stored is set to an operating state, GPS position data relating to the current location of the mobile terminal device is read,
The stored search area is read,
A method of using a search area of a portable terminal device, which determines whether the read GPS position data is in a movable area or a non-movable area of the read search area.

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