Build-A-Board
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Product Information

My-T-Soft® Build-A-Board Virtual Keyboard System

Finally, A Secure, Reliable, User Interface across major Operating Systems!

Build-A-Board.com Product Website

Now, anyone can create custom interactive buttons, panels, and keyboards on screen that seamlessly integrate into any application, roll out on any platform, provide operator security, are easily modified, yet still provide the ultimate user interactive experience. Whether you're on a touch screen, mouse, pen, playbook, rugged pc, smartphone, tablet pc, or ultra mobile system, you now have the right set of tools. And it easily integrates into any low or high level programming environment with our SDK Developers Integration Kit!

Build-A-Board Virtual Keyboard Builder Screen Shot (Keyboard Selection)

Build-a-Board can generate it's own multiple virtual keyboard run-time platform targets for Windows CE thru Windows 8 (including Embedded and Terminal Services), Linux, and Mac OSX, or create and add layouts to IMG's My-T-Soft Family (My-T-Pen, My-T-Touch, My-T-Soft, My-T-Soft Terminal Server, and OnScreen with Word Complete).

Build-A-Board is the answer for anyone who needs to have complete control over the virtual keyboard user interface when working with a touchscreen, rugged / tablet / mobile pc, or pen based system. Of course, it also works with every other kind of pointing device, including a mouse, trackball, head-mouse, foot-mouse, etc.

With Build-A-Board you can...

  • Create or re-create any virtual keyboard, on screen keypad, or membrane panel
  • Replace old legacy membrane panels with virtual (re-programmable) replicas
  • Select Colors of Text, Keys, and Panels
  • Use High Resolution 3D Text or Images on Keys or Buttons
  • Select Fonts
  • Build & Test within the Builder Environment(does not require Target system)
  • Cut/Copy/Paste Keys
  • Drag & Drop keys for quick & easy layouts
  • Align keys - Top/Left/Bottom/Right/Horizontal Center/Vertical Center
  • Evenly Space Keys / Center key or Keys
  • Size Keys to match Width/Height/Both Width & Height
  • Create keystrokes along with full-featured macros in Key Action
  • Built-in Commands: Close, Minimize, Save Position, etc.
  • Open different layouts from user-accessible keys or manage programmatically
  • Play Sounds (Wave / MIDI files)
  • Run External programs, Shortcuts, Use File Associations to launch host apps
  • And a whole lot more!
Build-A-Board Virtual Keyboard Builder Screen Shot

The Ideal Complement to Pen, Tablet, & Touchscreen based Systems!

Build-A-Board's Virtual Keyboard User Interface Utilities are the answer for any end-user, developer, integrator, or manufacturer who wants alternatives & options to a basic on screen keyboard. In secure environments, controlling what features & functions are available to the operator can be extremely important, and Build-A-Board gives you the power you need!

Replace outdated equipment with new systems utilizing today's pen or touchscreen input technology, while preserving existing methodology & procedures - Familiar interfaces eliminates the need for additional user training!

May be the ideal solution for users with Special Needs using non-traditional Assistive Technology devices...

Features

  • Drag and drop keys with modifiable labels, actions, views

  • Multiple target platforms - Windows CE thru 8 (including Embbedded), Linux, Mac OS X, etc.

  • Create any virtual keyboard, on screen key panels, or macro layouts

  • Replace old legacy membrane panels with re-programmable on screen membrane panels

  • Select Colors of Text, Keys, and Panels

  • Use High Resolution 3D on keys

  • Drag & drop images / add images to keys and panels

  • Select Fonts

  • Build & Test within the Builder Environment locally (does not require Target system)

  • Cut/Copy/Paste Keys

  • Align keys - Top/Left/Bottom/Right/Horizontal Center/Vertical Center

  • Evenly Space Keys

  • Size Keys to match Width/Height/Both Width & Height

  • Center Key or Keys

  • Create keystrokes along with full-featured macros in Key Action

  • Built-in Commands: Close, Minimize, Save Position

  • Open different layouts from user-accessible keys or manage programmatically

  • Play MIDI files (on supported platforms)

  • Play Sounds (Wave files) (on supported platforms)

  • Run External programs, Execute Shortcuts, Use File Associations to launch host application

  • Save and Manage projects

Builder provides development environment for boards with 1 to 250+ keys per board

Build-A-Board Virtual Keyboard Builder Screen Shot

Some Sample Layouts

Build-A-Board touch screen keyboard Example Membrane Panel Layout
Build-A-Board On screen Keyboard Example Edit Panel Layout
Build-A-Board Virtual Keyboard Example Keyboard Panel Layout





Build-A-Board Virtual Keyboard Example Function Key Layout
Build-A-Board On screen Keyboard Example 24 Function Key Layout

   
 

Want Customized Painting?

Use My-T-Soft with the Developers Kit!

My-T-Soft 104 on screen keyboard with Edit using Customized Painting
(Using the SDK Developer's Kit - KeyPaint interface allows custom key painting to allow virtually any view)

Build-A-Board 2.20 now supports images for keys and panels Build-A-Board 2.20 now supports images for keys and panels Build-A-Board 2.20 supports Windows, Windows CE, Linux, and Mac OS X targets

Specifications

On-Screen keyboard software written as standard Windows application
  • Compatible with all properly written Windows applications
  • Developed in C/C++ - written at same level as operating system for maximum capabilities
  • Accesses low-level operating system API via standard interfaces/system libraries - No frameworks or special environment required
  • Field proven technology since 1993
Flexible/modular design
  • Keyboard layouts as binary data files for minimal space requirements
  • Fully emulates physical keyboard
  • Program / Data approach - Program (run-time target software) and separate Data (Keyboard layout) design provides maximum flexibility for multi-platform solutions
  • Builder, Project Text files, Project database, multiple target output design creates open-ended options for layout creation
  • Separate user-interface, event handler/virtual input processor design creates open-ended options for end-user/target operation
  • Separation of Key Label/visualization and Key Action (event) within user interface allows open-ended options
User, developer, and integrator command and control options
  • Provides ability for user to operate without need for physical keyboard
  • Operator mode for secure application integration
  • Developer's Kit (SDK) for controlling and manipulating keyboard
Modular support options/capabilities
  • Custom views/colors/key images
  • Sounds
  • Transparency (on supported platforms)
  • Windows logon options
  • External Support utilities (Developer's Kit)
Extensive feature list
  • Unique and specialized features to address customer needs
  • Detailed help, documented options, on-line knowledgebase
  • Advanced Technical support, programming, and program level integration assistance available

Technical Information

Build-A-Board provides a Builder tool which is a standard Windows Application, that is used as a development environment for laying out one or more boards with any number of keys. Each project/custom board can be targeted towards any supported platform (platform license may be required). Each supported platform provides target specific run-time files or target-based install package.

Build-A-Board was designed from the ground-up to be a cross-platform, multiple target custom keyboard design tool. The Build-A-Board Builder is the developer front-end that can manipulate keyboard layouts, look, and features. The Run-Time Targets are the actual software (Program) that runs on a target system to display and operate the keyboard layout (Data). Due to the various nature and aspects of the different run-time operating systems and environments, there are features and capabilities that may not translate from one system to another. Also, with over 15 years of providing keyboard solutions, and a half-dozen keyboard file data formats, there are also other constraints that may affect a particular target.

The actual code-base for the run-time targets is a combination of target specific code, shared core keyboard software code, and shared lower-level abstracted operating system API code. Because the foundation was designed to be cross-platform, and extensible, the ability to run the same keyboard layout (Data) on multiple run-time targets (Programs) is the expected operation.

Build-A-Board is the result of constant input and feedback from customers, integrators, developers, and OEMs on what a flexible on-screen keyboard/user interface tool needs to do. Engineered using a disciplined/modular/cross-platform approach, Build-A-Board

Order

  • Developer Friendly
  • SDK Developer's Integration Kit included
  • Cross Platform O/S run-times available
  • Layouts can also be embedded in any My-T-Soft Family product
Just want to license electronically? Download and install the software, then click on "Purchase License Now" from the software's License Manager!
  • For OEM, Integrator & Reseller Pricing
  • or Corporate / Agency Site or Enterprise Licensing
    • (including Keyless, Image Ready integration support & delivery), please contact IMG Sales.

Build-A-Board Starter (Builder Tool + 10 Run-time) Suggested Retail Price is US $499.95.
Contact IMG for Run time license options

  • Ideal for Small or Startup Projects, Test Development & those with < 10 users
  • 1 Builder licenses
  • Select Your Platform (Windows 2K thru 7, Windows CE, Linux, or Mac OS X)
  • Builder runs on Windows 7 / Vista / XP / 2000
  • Purchase additional Licenses at any time
  • Catalog #: 12403

Build-A-Board Developer Standard (1 Platform) [SMB/Corporate Dept./< 50 employees] Suggested Retail Price is US $1500.00.
Contact IMG for Run time license options

  • Ideal for Small Businesses & Developers, or those with < 100 users
  • 1 Builder licenses
  • Select Your Platform (Windows 2K thru 7, Windows CE, Linux, or Mac OS X)
  • Additional Platforms are available as Add-Ons (Cat #12405)
  • Builder runs on Windows 7 / Vista / XP / 2000
  • Purchase additional Licenses at any time
  • Catalog #: 12402

Build-A-Board Developer - Single-Site (any Platform / 1-2 Builder licenses) [1 location / > 50 employees]
Suggested Retail Price is US $5000.00. Contact IMG for Run-time licensing options

  • Ideal for Medium Businesses & Developers, or those with < 250 users
  • 1 or 2 Builder licenses
  • Select Your Platform (Windows 2K thru 7, Windows CE, Linux, or Mac OS X)
  • Additional Platforms are available as Add-Ons (Cat #12405)
  • Builder runs on Windows 7 / Vista / XP / 2000
  • Purchase additional Licenses at any time
  • Catalog #: 12415

Build-A-Board Run-time Addl. Platform (#12402 req.) Suggested Retail Price is US $500.00.
Contact IMG for Run-time licensing options

  • Add-On additional O/S Platforms
  • Select Your Platform (Windows 2K thru 7, Windows CE, Linux, or Mac OS X)
  • Catalog #: 12405

Build-A-Board Builder Tool License (Run-time Lics Addl.) Suggested Retail Price is US $299.95.

  • Builder runs on Windows 7 / Vista / XP / 2000
  • Run-Times support Windows CE thru .NET (MIPS, ARM, SH3, SH4, X86), Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux & Mac OS X (other platforms in development). Run-times are licensed per workstation or device.
  • Catalog #: 12401

Build-A-Board Run-time License Only (My-T-Soft 2.10) Suggested Retail Price is US $49.95.

  • Run-Times for Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7.
  • Run-times are licensed per workstation or device.

  • Catalog #: 12411

Build-A-Board Run-time License Only (My-T-Soft CE) Suggested Retail Price is US $24.95.

  • Run-Times for Windows CE thru .NET (MIPS, ARM, SH3, SH4, X86).
  • Run-times are licensed per workstation or device.

  • Catalog #: 12412

  • For OEM, Integrator & Reseller Pricing
  • or Corporate / Agency Site or Enterprise Licensing
    • (including Keyless, Image Ready integration support & delivery), please contact IMG Sales.