New Apple Inc. (AAPL) Patent: Is This a Game-Changer?

If you are going to purchase an Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) tablet, you know you are going to spend a good amount of money. Of course, you are getting quite a bit in return.

To ensure that your tablet stays in good condition for a long time, you will want to keep it protected with a cover.

Earlier today, the US Patent and Trademark Office published a patent application from Cupertino showing a new type of tablet cover. This patent doesn’t talk so much about the design itself as opposed to how it is created and its ability to maintain radio transparency.

If you want to learn more about Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s patent, you can do so by reading it in its entirety here: Methods for Forming Fiber-Reinforced Structures with Segments Formed from Different Types of Fiber

For those who don’t have the time to read the entire patent, the abstract provides a basic overview:

“Fiber-reinforced structures for use in forming support structures and electronic device housing members may include multiple types of fiber. A first portion of the structures formed from a first type of fiber such as glass fiber may be radio transparent. A second portion of the structures formed from a second type of fiber such as carbon fiber may be more rigid than the first type of fiber and may be radio opaque. The second portion of the structures may be used to selectively add strength to the fiber-reinforced structures. The first portion of the structures may be used to maintain radio transparency for compatibility with wireless electronic device operations. The fiber-reinforced structures may be formed by rolling a sheet of prepreg material that includes a first area with the first type of fiber and a second area with the second type of fiber.”

This appears to be a very interesting cover, and one that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) could do big things with in the future. The question: what is the cover going to be used for?

Many believe that this could be an iBooks based design, giving a better idea of what the company has in mind for the future.

Here is more on how the cover would operate:

“A wireless device cover, comprising: a front flap including a support frame; a rear cover; and a flexible portion coupled to an edge of the front flap and an edge of the rear cover, wherein the flexible portion forms a hinge allowing the front flap to rotate relative to the rear cover.”

What do you think about this Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) patent? Do you think this cover is a sign of things to come in the near future?

See the image provided by Apple: