A wireless communication device and method for identifying a container, or
communication information about a container, using a slot in the
container as an antenna. The device includes a wireless communication
device for transmitting information regarding the container. The
container includes an outer wall forming a rim and a slot between the rim
edge and the outer wall that is circular and continues without
boundaries. The wireless communication device is coupled to the slot to
provide the slot antenna for communications. An impedance matching
network is additionally provided to make the operating frequency of the
slot substantially the same as the operating frequency of the wireless
communication device. Alternatively, shorting posts may be placed in the
slot to define boundaries of the slot to match the operating frequency of
the slot to the operating frequency of the antenna. Variable impedance
matching is provided between the wireless communication device and the
slot.