METHOD FOR PROVIDING MAXIMUM SCREEN REAL ESTATE IN COMPUTER CONTROLLED DISPLAY SYSTEMS

A method for maximizing the amount of screen display real estate without sacrificing the user's ability to pan graphic and other data is disclosed which has application for use in computer controlled display systems. The CPU is capable of accessing and executing a computer program which includes a first event loop handler. The first event loop handler includes events, each which are selectively paired with a different set of screen coordinates, said set of screen coordinates comprising a first hot spot file. A user moves a pointer around on the screen display by using a pointer control device. The position of the pointer is monitored by the first event loop handler. The first event loop handler determines whether the position of the pointer corresponds to a set of screen coordinates in the first hot spot file which, in turn, corresponds to an event, most preferably, the display of a horizontal, vertical or diagonal scrollbar. The CPU executes the first event loop handler thereby causing a horizontal, vertical or diagonal scrollbar, most preferably, to appear on the screen display, but only when the position of the pointer corresponds to a set of screen coordinates in the main event table paired with a pre-selected event, again, most preferably the scrollbar displaying event which launches a panning means such as a horizontal, vertical or diagonal scrollbar. Then and only then is the screen display encumbered by the presence of scrollbars. Accordingly, it is not necessary to press a mouse button to initiate an event.