Light-Based Messaging Systems

1. A messaging system, comprising: a plurality of messaging units disposed at different locations within a space, each of said messaging units including at least one light source; at least one messaging/modulation controller coupled to the light sources and configured to turn the light sources on and off so as to broadcast input digital messages; a central server coupled to the at least one messaging/modulation controller and configured to selectively provide messages to said at least one messaging/modulation controller for broadcast by different ones of said messaging units; and an associate device coupled to the central server and configured to: (a) display a user interface for manually inputting information about individuals within the space and (b) provide said information to the central server, wherein the central server selects messages to be broadcast by individual ones of the messaging units based on the information received from said associate device.

2. A messaging system according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one receiver that receives transmissions from user devices within the space.

3. A messaging system according to claim 2 , wherein the central server selects messages to be broadcast by individual ones of the messaging units also based on said received transmissions.

4. A messaging system according to claim 1 , further comprising a tracking system that tracks locations of individuals within the space and provides said location information to the central server.

5. A messaging system according to claim 4 , wherein the central server selects messages to be broadcast by individual ones of the messaging units also based on said location information.

6. A messaging system according to claim 4 , wherein the tracking system tracks the locations of the individuals based on broadcasts from user devices carried by said individuals.

7. A messaging system according to claim 1 , further comprising a sensor that: (a) monitors and obtains observation information about individuals within the space and (b) provides said observation information to the central server, and wherein the central server selects messages to be broadcast by individual ones of the messaging units also based on said observation information.

8. A messaging system according to claim 7 , wherein said sensor comprises a camera.

9. A messaging system according to claim 1 , wherein said user interface displays a map of at least a portion of the space and displays icons indicating locations of individuals within the space.

10. A messaging system according to claim 9 , wherein designating one of the icons causes the user interface to display an information page for a corresponding one of the individuals.

11. A messaging system according to claim 9 , wherein said user interface permits designation of plural icons to indicate that the corresponding individuals are with each other.

12. A messaging system according to claim 1 , wherein said user interface also displays previously collected information about the individuals within the space.

13. A messaging system according to claim 1 , wherein said associate device comprises a wireless handheld device.

14. A messaging system according to claim 1 , wherein said associate device comprises a tablet computer.

15. A messaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source in each of a plurality of said messaging units includes a light-emitting diode (LED).

16. A messaging system according to claim 1 , wherein the user interface includes a page that: (1) displays an area comprising at least a section of the space, and (2) permits an associate using said associate device to designate a location of an individual about whom the associate wishes to at least one of input or view information.

17. A messaging system according to claim 16 , wherein the area displayed on said page is automatically selected based on a current location of the associate using said associate device.

18. A messaging system according to claim 1 , wherein upon designation of a specific individual, the user interface displays a page for inputting information about said specific individual.

19. A messaging system according to claim 18 , wherein said page is pre-populated with second information that was previously obtained about said specific individual.

20. A messaging system according to claim 18 , wherein said page includes fields for inputting personally observed information.