[skissane]

> Ideally, a newer interface would provide scan codes instead of the escape sequences. Not having to deal with ‘escape’ like we do today would simplify things.

While I agree the Unix tty model is crufty and old, this particular feature doesn't require any changes to it. The later models of the real DEC terminals introduced a mode called DECPCTERM to send PC compatible keyboard scan codes, with escape sequences to enable/disable it. Terminal emulators very rarely implement it, but there is no reason why they couldn't. And there is no change the Unix tty subsystem design required to support it.