The present invention refers to a magnetic device used to control rated utility supply, such as electricity, water, gas, etc; it refers more specifically to a controller device capable of reading a magnetic mean, which permits usage of a prepaid amount of rated utilities.

The following text mentions only electricity as an example, but it is understood that the invention applies to correlated cases such as water, gas, telephone, etc.

The electricity supplied by the country's utilities, such as CESP, CPFL, Eletropaulo, among others, performs consumption control by reading meters installed where consumers are. Such meter reading is performed by the

I — utility's employees, who physically go to the buildings, read the meter and take note of the amount of electricity already consumed, and then later, issue a bill so that what has been consumed is paid for.

This system presents some serious

90— i •nconveniences, such as:

- rating concerns electricity already consumed, subject to not being paid by the consumer that has already used the utility;

- the meter reading is a delayed task, which demands the — employee's physical dislocation to the meter, which demands a great number of employees to cover large areas;

- the rating is subject to many human errors, which can happen during meter reading, during the employee's annotation and during transcription to the bill;

- the bill must be printed and sent to the consumer's address, subject to deviation, strikes, etc.;

- the consumer must pay such bills, going personally to a bank authorized to receive such bill, or authorizing automatic debt from an account that may not have enough funds .

In view of these inconveniences and aiming to implement a dynamic system more adequate to our present life, a simple and versatile device has been developed that offers advantages for electricity utilities and for - consumers.

It is a device for electricity rating characterized by using a magnetic mean that permits use of a predetermined amount of electricity.

Preferably, the magnetic mean that permits the use of a predetermined amount of electricity is a magnetic card, similar to a credit card. Other possible alternatives are disk, magnetic tape, or any other known technical means that permit electric and/or magnetic signal reading with this intention. - To simplify, any mention related to the magnetic card reported below denotes equaly any other equivalent means .

The present invention's operation is as follows: a rating device is installed where electricity is consumed - as described here. The user purchases a prerecorded magnetic card at the utility which, read by the rating device, permits the use of a certain amount of kilowatts/hour. Reaching such value, optionally, the invented device automaticaly interrupts electricity supply.

The great advantages are clearly observed by using the invented device, among them:

- periodic readings are eliminated at the current meters, economizing public taxes, unnecessary payroll, expenditures with bill postage and contracts with banks; - the utility will receive in advance for electricity supply;

- in case of temporary or provisory connections, such as circus, fairs, exhibitions, etc., payment problems will be avoided;

- the consumer will not have to face lines or other 5- disappointments to enjoy the benefits of the service;

- the system is easily automatized to permit, for example, connection to the telephone system to transmit data or consumption;

- the device can be installed inside the building, avoiding 10- ravaging;

- even though the invented device is totally unpublished, its components are easily found on the market, periting cheap utilization.

The following schematic figure illustrates the present invention in more details, using electricity as an example of a rated utility, intentionally without dimensions or determined proportions, without imposing any restriction to other equivalent accomplishments. It is understood that there are many other possible alternatives, 0- with different shapes, but with similar functions and results, therefore included in the invention's purpose, as claimed later.

Figure 1 annexed to this report shows a prepaid electricity supply device 10, composed of a cabinet 20 that 5- consists of a display 30, a magnetic card reader 40 type 50, and terminals 60 for load line connection.

Optionally, the invented device 10 can comprise a lock mean 55 for the magnetic card.

Cabinet 20 has within it a managing electronic - circuit (not illustrated) that registers the amount of electricity correspondent to the prepaid value by the magnetic card and read by reader 40, and according to usage, it deducts the used value.

Display 30 shows the decrease of the re ianing - ammount during use. When the prepaid ammount of electricity is totally consumed, the managing electronic circuit,

- 04 - optionally, interrupts the electricity supply to the consumer's installation.

A very illustrative example of usage of the invented device is a beach house. Its owner purchases a - magnetic card from the local utility, and when arriving, inserts the card in the device. During the stay, there is normal electricity supply. At the end of the stay, the magnetic card is taken out, and supply is interruped.

Consume reading, bill issuing or bank lines are not 0- necessary.

As mentioned before, it is clear that the invented device is adequate for other utilities, such as water, gas, telephone, etc.