I just bought a used computer (I'm typing this idea on it), and it came with a German keyboard, and gosh darn it I don't speak German, and its a bitch to get little stickers for the keys, and I don't know where to get them and what if I want a German keyboard some day? Well here's my idea, design a keyboard where each key is actually a small epaper screen and you can change the keyboard through software and, since epaper doesn't need power, except to change, your keyboard is permenent until the next change.
-- Hirudinea, Jul 14 2009

Optimus Maximus http://www.artlebed...everything/optimus/
No, not a Transformer - a keyboard! [neutrinos_shadow, Jul 15 2009]

Halfbakery: Liquid Crystal Keyboard Liquid_20Crystal_20Keyboard
Same idea but with LCD. [jutta, Jul 21 2009]

Baked, apart from the e-paper - Optimus Maximus uses OLEDs instead. I won't [mfd] as it's not widely known.
-- neutrinos_shadow, Jul 15 2009


"In order to extend the service life of the displays and avoid using cables that may be vulnerable to wear, the screens embedded in the keytops are fixed—it’s only the transparent caps that are pressed."

Genius.

But may be more difficult in an epaper application.
-- nomocrow, Jul 15 2009


but the best keyboards (ones you'd want to go through the bother of shifting over) have keycaps... well mine does: auld Model 'M' </geek>
-- FlyingToaster, Jul 15 2009


I have two cash register keyboards in my interesting-parts cupboard. Apart from the layout they are standard PS-2 keyboards. The keycaps are transparent and removable, and have space underneath them for a small slip of paper on which can be printed or handwritten the appropriate notation.

No E required.
-- BunsenHoneydew, Jul 21 2009



random, halfbakery