Developing an American Dynamics AD2089 Control Keyboard Integration for NX Witness/DW Spectrum

Over the last few days, I have been reverse engineering an American Dynamics AD2089 Matrix Keyboard and writing a Python bridge that translates its serial protocol into modern VMS commands for NX Witness/DW Spectrum. These keyboards run on a standard RS232 protocol and output standard ASCII code. 

So far, I have been able to decode the following: 

• Camera Selection
• PTZ movement (variable speed)
• PTZ presets
• Layout Selection
• Previous/next camera on layout
• Monitor Selection (for video walls)
• AUX (I/O) outputs
• Function Buttons
• Bi-Directional communication back to the keyboard including successfully updating the built in LED displays from Python.

My next step is replacing the parser's terminal output with calls into the NX REST API (or another supported client interface if one exists). Eventually, Id like an AD2089 to operate NX Witness as though it were a native controller.  

My questions are the following: 

1. Is there a preferred API for selecting the active camera and opening layouts?
2. Does NX expose any interface for third-party control surfaces, or is the REST API the recommended approach? 
3. Is there any supported method to register a custom joystick or control device with the client. 
4. Would Network Optix be interested in a community-developed compatibility bridge for legacy RS-232 matrix keyboards, or is there an existing plugin architecture that would be a better long term solution?

The ultimate goal isn't to emulate an old matrix switch, it is to preserve the operator workflow of classic CCTV keyboards while controlling a modern IP VMS. It is to have a device that you can type in a camera number, sending a call to the API to bring the camera up on your screen/layout for speed and efficiency purposes during active and unfolding incidents, and including standard options like the modern joysticks in NX support (execute PTZ presets, open layouts, etc.).  Eventually, my project will be expanded to include other classic Matrix Style Keyboards, including the Pelco KBD300a and Bosch IntuiKey.