TransMedia Urges Placing a Microsoft Tag on Headstones of Fallen Heroes So Anyone With a Mobile Phone Can Pull Up Their Life Story

PR Firm's CEO Suggests Calling the Decorated Codes 'Tagitaphs'

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May 29, 2011, 05:02 ET

BOCA RATON, Fla., May 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Memorial Day 2011 has inspired an idea to place not only wreaths and flags, but decorated QR-type codes called "Tagitaphs" (www.tagitaph.com) on the headstones of U.S. soldiers who paid the ultimate price for freedom.

QR Codes yield a depth of content with a snap of a mobile phone picture, says Tom Madden, CEO of TransMedia Group who patented Knife and Forklift (www.knifeandforklift.com) and other inventions. QR "scancodes" as they are called direct users to web sites, provide information and even connect to wireless devices. But, are limited.

For the purpose he has in mind, Madden prefers a similar Microsoft technology called "Microsoft Tag," which could be red, white and blue.

Microsoft Tag is a colorful, visually appealing code that offers more than just the basics, said Madden at TransMedia Group (www.transmediagroup.com).

Microsoft Tag can integrate a name and rank within the tag itself and when scanned (shot with a camera on a mobile device) much like QR Codes, does a few other things that makes life easier, said Madden.

Microsoft's High Capacity Color Barcodes (HCCBs) were designed to work with the limitations of smartphone cameras. Even with a somewhat blurry picture, users can get a more accurate read and tags don't need to be as large, and can be scaled down, saving real estate.

Now Madden believes the technology should come to cemeteries so people can pull up the biography of a serviceman or woman KIA.

Madden's PR firm serves clients worldwide and has helped to raise funds for the families of U.S. Marines and Law Enforcement Officers killed in action.

Madden's daughter, Adrienne Mazzone, came up with another tombstone innovation called Stained Glass Memorials, which is a stain glass depiction of a cross or other symbol backlit by a light source perpetually powered by solar energy.

"We have thought about honoring those killed on 9/11 and who died while serving in the Military or in Law Enforcement by providing more information about these heroes at their grave sites.

"Thanks to Microsoft TAG technology, there is a way to make information about a fallen hero instantly and everlastingly retrievable through a tombstone Tagitaph," said Madden.

CONTACT: Adrienne Mazzone, TransMedia Group, +1-561-750-9800 ext. 210

SOURCE TransMedia Group