Patent ID: 7072696

Claim:
A headset apparatus comprising: a headband member adapted to conform to a user's head; at least one earpiece associated with the headband member; a microphone adapted to be positioned so as to allow a user to talk into the microphone; a wireless telephone transceiver physically incorporated into the headset apparatus and adapted to place telephone calls in a wireless telephone network, wherein the wireless telephone transceiver receives an audio input signal from the microphone and outputs an audio output signal from the at least one earpiece; and a solar power source associated with the wireless telephone transceiver such that the solar power source supplies power to the wireless telephone transceiver, wherein the solar power source comprises an array of solar cells, and the array of solar cells is positioned on a surface of the headband member so as to provide exposure of the array of solar cells to an external light source, and wherein the array of solar cells is positioned on at least one surface of a lid associated with the headband member, and wherein the lid is configured such that opening the lid reveals a control panel for operating the wireless telephone transceiver.