Apple Computer has sought patent protection for an iPod/iPhone combination that is rumored to be on tap for as early as January.

In a patent application just made public, Apple claims it has developed a new casing for a wireless device that can operate as an iPod and a mobile phone. The application was filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in August, and is related to an application filed in July 2004.

“This is another piece of evidence that the iPhone is coming,” said Piper Jaffray’s Gene Munster. “This shows theyre trying to build a patent moat around the design for the iPhone.”

via Bloomberg.com