Cordless phone system capable of supporting a broadcast over broadcast mode

Abstract

A cordless digital telephone system which allows broadcast over broadcast is provided. Time division multiple access (TDMA) cordless phone systems provide a base unit which is able to provide connections for a plurality of mobile units, such as handsets. With time division, the mobile units are synchronized to different time slots. A broadcast mode is provided that causes the mobile units to be placed in a receive only mode and to synchronize to the same time slot where a broadcast message is sent. In this way, a cordless telephone base unit in a broadcast mode receives a radio or streaming audio signal. A call controller unit included in or coupled to the base station then sends the received radio or streaming audio signal to at least one mobile unit in communication with the base station. In those cases where a mobile unit is receiving the broadcast and a conventional phone call is received at the base station, then a determination is made whether or not to send the conventional call to the mobile unit is made. In those cases where the conventional call is to be forwarded, then the base station is set to standard mode and the conventional call is forwarded to the mobile unit whereas any other mobile unit in communication with the base station still receive the broadcast.