you may remember that about a month ago i posted about the Optimus keyboard. well i thought that it was only a computer generated render of a concept, but MacBidouille had some other info about it.
It is currently still at the prototype level, but should be available in 2006 for the price of a “high-end” mobile phone, in other words, couple of hundreds euros.
…
Depending on its availability and final price, this keyboard might be a success, leaving Apple White keyboard in its box…
there’s actaully a prototype of this?!? well - i’ll be keeping a close eye on 2006, that’s for sure!
now - for the Apple OLED keyboard. 
well, it isn’t actaully an Apple produced keyboard, but an Apple white keyboard that’s been hacked by iKeyInfinity Corporation.
it isn’t the most beautiful hack, definitely more advanced research than a DIY hack. but a big congratulations is deserved!
for more pictures check the Chinese website here:
iKeyInfinity Corporation Apple OLED keyboard hack
There’s already a patent several years old held by Elkin (5,818,361). The display keyboard might still be under develpment. This might affect Apple application.
Maverick
Wow, I’d actually forgotten that I posted about this modified Apple OLED keyboard way back in 2005!
with Apple recently publishing their own patent for an OLED keyboard on March 13 of 2007, it seems like Apple themselves will go ahead with the idea.
It’s interesting that you mention there’s already patents held by others for a display keyboard. This was brought up on another site, and it was pointed out that patents only apply to devices that are in production, not to ideas. A Sci-Fi writer in no way has any sort of claim to FTL drives if anyone manages to make them in the future just because he wrote about them…