If you don't mind using a circle for area detection use
PHP Code:
temp.distance = ((player.x - this.x)^2 + (player.y - this.y)^2)^0.5;
Use a timeout to check when the var gets to a certain number.
Could/should also be able to do
PHP Code:
if (player.x in |this.x, this.x + this.width|)
{
if (player.y in |this.y, this.y + this.height|)
{
//Hit detection =o
}
}