QUINCY, ILL. -- Here's a story about QR codes.

What's a QR code, you ask?

Some call it the next great thing in technology.

Maybe you've seen a QR code in an ad, but didn't know what it was. Let me show you.

See this square that looks like static? It's a QR, or Quick Response code. You can embed pretty much anything you want in them from a website address to a video presentation in this image. Then, people scan the code with their smart phone to see what's imbedded.

For example, the above QR code is part of my e-mail signature. If you click on it with a smart phone, or tablet like an iPad, it takes you to our website homepage.

Kevin Reed says, "The best thing about QR codes is they are instant. You can use your smart phone, click on it. It takes you to a person's Web site, or special offer or whatever."

QR readers and creators can be downloaded from most app stores. Most are free. You can also create a QR code online for free by using a QR code generator. QR codes have been used for years in Europe and Asia and are wildly popular. People in the U.S. have been slow to embrace the technology, but that's about to change. You can even embed QR codes in TV commercials. The uses are pretty much endless.

Reed says, "There was an article that some people in different countries are doing QR codes as tattoos of their personal Web sites. So you walk up to somebody at a bar and you take a picture of their QR code and you can find out about them before you introduce yourself."

Maybe that's taking it a little too far, but some businesses are now using QR codes to draw you in. Some may have a QR code set up at the front of the store. By scanning the code with your phone, you might get a coupon or other discount for shopping in that store. Just what the future holds for QR codes, only time will tell.

Reed says, "They actually use a QR code on certain tombstones in Japanese cemeteries, so you can go up with your smart phone and click on the QR code and see the life history of the person."

So what about safety?

Kevin Reed with Reed Promotional Media says right now, QR codes are just as safe as logging on to a website.