bemanitools/doc/api.md

Bemanitools API

Bemanitools introduces interfaces abstracting the IO hardware of many games. This is used to implement support for non-intended IO devices from simple keyboard support, standard gamecontrollers to custom IO boards or using real hardware with the games (e.g. support for real legacy hardware).

For a list of already supported and included hardware by game, see the next section.

The BT5 API separates main game IO hardware like buttons, turn tables, spinners, lights etc. (bstio, iidxio, ...) from eamuse hardware like 10-key pads and card readers (eamio).

If you want to write an implementation for your own custom piece of hardware, check out the SDK (bemanitools sub-folder) in the source code (src.zip).

Implementations

IO boards

The following implementations are already shipped with BT5.

• BeatStream
  • bstio.dll (default): Keyboard, joystick and mouse input
• Dance Dance Revolution
  • ddrio.dll (default): Keyboard, joystick and mouse input
  • ddrio-p3io.dll: DDR P3IO (Dragon PCB) + EXTIO hardware
  • ddrio-mm.dll: Minimaid hardware
  • ddrio-smx.dll: StepManiaX platforms
  • ddrio-async: Wrapper/shim library to drive another ddrio in a dedicated IO thread
• Beatmania IIDX
  • iidxio.dll (default): Keyboard, joystick and mouse input
  • iidxio-bio2.dll: BIO2 driver
  • iidxio-ezusb.dll: Ezusb (C02 IO) driver
  • iidxio-ezusb2.dll: Ezusb FX2 (IO2) driver
• jubeat
  • jbio.dll (default): Keyboard, joystick and mouse input
• pop'n music
  • popnio.dll (default): Keyboard, joystick and mouse input
• SOUND VOLTEX
  • sdvxio.dll (default): Keyboard, joystick and mouse input
  • sdvxio-bio2.dll: BIO2 driver
  • sdvxio-kfca.dll: KFCA IO board driver

Eamuse readers

Eamuse hardware support is implemented separately:

• eamio.dll (default): Keyboard and joystick input
• eamio-icca.dll: Slotted/wave pass readers, required for old games with magnetic stripe cards

ICCA readers for IIDX and port config in device manager

The COM port for the card readers needs to be configured correctly in device manager. Otherwise, communication with the readers will fail if the settings do not align with how the game or bemanitools wants to operate them.

Use built-in ports on your mainboard if available but an external USB to serial port dongle also works.

• Assign COM1 to the COM port the card readers are connected to.
• Ensure that the following settings for the COM port you are going to use are set
  • BAUD rate 57600
  • Data bits 8
  • Parity None
  • Stop bits 1
  • Flow control None.

Development notes

A DEF file for geninput.dll is included. To convert the DEF into an import library suitable for use with Visual C++, run

lib /machine:i386 /def:geninput.def

from the Visual C++ command line. If you're using mingw then use dlltool:

dlltool -d geninput.def -l geninput.a