The USB should funtion as a usb keyboard.. telll your IPAC progam you are using your usb IPAC and program it accordingly.
MAME in very recent builds have rewrote the input system to accept multiple inputs as in keyboards / mice etc..
But I always find it easyest to remap all the keys so none of them are shitf,ctrl,Alt,space,+,- Etc...
As many of these keys in button masers case windows to do some funky action.. Of course do your due dilligents ...Make sure stickey keys is disabled... Find the reg twaek to disable Win hotkey.. Turn off baloons ETC..
Id also recommend using GAMEEX as a frontend.