WINIPAC programming
utility for all Windows versions
click
here
I-PAC
The world's most advanced PC interface for buttons and joysticks.
Full
Speed USB 2.0. 32 or 56 Inputs. Upgradeable Firmware.
I-PAC is the
ONLY
keyboard encoder to have up to 56 inputs each with it's own dedicated
microprocessor pin. No interaction
or delays, vital for multi-button games such as fighting games.
I-PAC is much more than a keyboard encoder! Pins can be configured as
mouse buttons or game controller buttons, plus power and volume control.
I-PAC is the
ONLY
keyboard encoder which emulates a USB keyboard and yet
breaks through the USB simultaneously-pressed-switch limit of 6
switches (plus ctrl,alt,shift) which afflicts all USB keyboard devices.
This is beacuse it has inbuilt full native USB support, and does not
rely on an add-on adaptor.
I-PAC is the
ONLY
device to have a shift function which allows ANY input to be assigned
to a shifted secondary keycode and the shift button can have it's own
function too so no need for a dedicated extra control panel button.
I-PAC is the
ONLY
device to have a self-test LED which not only gives an instant visible
check of your installation but also can indicate which connection (if
any) is causing a problem.
I-PAC retains it's programming after power off.
Beware!
Not all keyboard
encoders do this!
The
I-PAC
(Interface for Pc to Arcade Controls) are
a range of boards which allow connection of arcade controls such as
buttons and
joysticks to a keyboard port or USB port on a PC motherboard. It was
designed around the MAME emulator which supports over 1000 arcade games
and can be used with other emulators or any software which requires
keyboard or game controller input.
It is designed to be used inside an Arcade Games cabinet with the PC
motherboard also mounted inside, but could just as easily be used with
simply a control panel without a cabinet.
Special shift function buttons mean that a normal keyboard is only be
needed for game loading and configuration, not for gameplay. All key
codes can be programmed
but
you dont have to
as you can use the built-in default configuration which has all
standard MAME codes for quick
and easy installation. Programmed keys codes are stored even after
power off.
The I-PAC
2 has
32 inputs. They are all
programmable and are marked as 2 joysticks, 8 buttons each, plus
coin1, coin2, start1, start2 and Mame control keys. Any inputs can be
assigned as a shift
key to access an alternate code set. This board also has a connector
which can be configured to plug our trackball and spinner into, or for
our console interfaces.
The MAME control keys are by default assigned to the "A" and "B"
inputs. Check out the code table
here for
all default assignments.
The I-PAC
4
has 56 inputs. All programmable and marked as 4 joysticks, 8 buttons
each plus coin 1,2,3,4 and start
1,2,3,4. Any inputs can be assigned as a shift key to
access separate codes sets. When using a U-Trak trackball or
SpinTrak spinner with this board, they can be ordered with their own
optional USB interfaces. Note the 9-pin header on the I-PAC 4 is for
factory use only.
- Fully
programmable key code set. Stored even after power
off unlike some other interfaces which lose all data when powered off.
- Controls can be assigned to
any keycode, game controller button, plus mouse buttons,
power, sleep or wake.
- All
joystick/button connections easily made via screw tag
strip. Connections marked on the board.
- Chunky 5mm screw connectors .
- Self-Test LED gives an
instant check of all your wiring. Can
indicate which, if any, input has a problem.
- All button inputs
referenced to ground - no need to
re-wire separate grounds to each button.
- Lead plugs into
USB port.
- Using host software, an
unlimited number of keycode
configurations can be stored and downloaded on-the-fly. Retained on
power off.
- No separate power
needed.
- Does not use a
matrix - no ghost keys.
- Does not use a
scanning method which causes a variable
delay. Each input has it's own dedicated connection into the on-board
CPU .
- Fast running
interrupt-driven software gives much better
response than a standard keyboard controller. Key debounce uses a state
method for each key. No delays between keys depressed at the same time.
(essential for fighting games).
- Either uses standard MAME keys or you
can program your own character set.
- Shift functions.
Holding "Start1" and pressing other
buttons sends a range of codes for MAME functions such as "escape",
"Coin 1", "tab", "enter". This means no extra buttons are needed on the
cabinet. In programmable mode any input can be the shift key and all
keys can be programmed with a shifted code.
- Special note for
Windows MAME users! Shift key functions
mean you can select and start games from the Windows interface without
using the keyboard or mouse.
- No special
drivers needed. USB drivers are generic
Windows.
- Fully compatible with all
Apple Macs which have USB ports.
- Supports the Apple Mac
"command" key and the Windows "GUI" keys.
- I-PAC4
and I-PAC2 boards
and J-PAC can be
paired in any combination to increase the total number of inputs.
- Keycode programming is
integrated directly into many popular
front ends for seamless launch of emulator or other applications which
require different codesets.

-
The
I-PAC uses a high-performance microcontroller
chip . No matrix or diodes are used hence absolutely no
ghosting,
blocking or delays.
-
De-bounce.
This uses a state counter method. Each
input has it's own counter. This means simultaneous keypresses are
never locked out.
-
Key
code Flash ROM storage. Retains custom
settings after power off/on (excluding I-PAC VE)
-
Full
Speed USB 2.0 compatible.
-
Shift
key logic including protection against
stuck keys.