Electromechanical lock

1. An electromechanical lock comprising

a generator configured to generate operating power upon the insertion of a key into the lock;

a memory configured to store access tables, the access tables comprising information on the keys allowed to open the lock; and

an electronic circuitry configured to detect one or more insertions of an associated master key, the insertion of the associated master key initializing a programming mode, store key data of each inserted key into the memory, power down the lock between each insertion of a key;

detect the insertions of one or more keys, store key data of each inserted key into the memory, power down the lock between each insertion of a key;

and detect the insertion an end function key into the lock, the insertion of the end function key causing the electronic circuitry to read key data from the memory, update the access tables on the basis of the read key data, and cause the lock to exit the programming mode, and power down the lock,

wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to determine the access table update depending on the number of master key data items stored in the memory.

2. The electromechanical lock of claim 1 , wherein a factory state lock is not associated with any master key.

3. The electromechanical lock of claim 2 , wherein the electronic circuitry of a factory state lock is configured to

detect the insertion of a master key,

detect the insertion of an end function key,

associate the inserted master key with the lock to modify the access tables and to control further master key associations.

4. The electromechanical lock of claim 1 , wherein when in programming mode, the electronic circuitry is configured to

detect the insertion of a key,

store the key data in a memory as a key data item, and

power down the lock.

5. The electromechanical lock of claim 4 , wherein the lock is configured power up and detect the insertion of a key, and the electronic circuitry is configured to

detect that the inserted key is an end function key,

read stored key data items from a memory, and

execute the operation sequence.

6. The electromechanical lock of claim 5 , wherein the electronic circuitry is configured to determine the validity of the master key, the end function key, and the keys prior executing the sequence.

7. The electromechanical lock of claim 4 , wherein the operation sequence adds a key to the access table, removes a key from the access table, empties the access table or sets the lock in a factory state.

8. A method in an electromechanical lock comprising:

storing access tables in a memory, the access tables comprising information on the keys allowed to open the lock;

generating operating power upon the insertion of a key into the lock; and

detecting one or more insertions of an associated master key, the insertion of the associated master key initializing a programming mode, storing key data of each inserted key into the memory, powering down the lock between each insertion of a key;

detecting the insertions of one or more keys, storing key data of each inserted key into the memory, powering down the lock between each insertion of a key;

and detecting the insertion an end function key into the lock, the insertion of the end function key causing the electronic circuitry to read key data from the memory, update the access tables on the basis of the read key data, and cause the lock to exit the programming mode, and power down the lock,

wherein the access table update is determined depending on the number of master key data items stored in the memory.

9. The method of claim 8 , comprising, when not associated with any master key:

detecting the insertion of a master key,

detecting the insertion of an end function key,

associating the inserted master key with the lock to modify the access tables and to control further master key associations.

10. The method of claim 8 , comprising when in programming mode:

detecting the insertion of a key,

detecting the key data of the inserted key,

storing the key data in a memory as a key data item, and

powering down the lock.

11. The method of claim 8 , comprising:

detecting the insertion of a key,

detecting that the inserted key is an end function key,

reading stored key data items from a memory, and

executing the operation sequence.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the operation sequence adds a key to the access table, removes a key from the access table, empties the access table or sets the lock in a factory state.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing a computer program comprising computer-executable instructions adapted to perform, when the program is run on a processor, the following:

storing access tables in a memory, the access tables comprising information on the keys allowed to open the lock;

generating operating power upon the insertion of a key into the lock; and

detecting one or more insertions of an associated master key, the insertion of the associated master key initializing a programming mode, storing key data of each inserted key into the memory, powering down the lock between each insertion of a key;

detecting the insertions of one or more keys, storing key data of each inserted key into the memory, powering down the lock between each insertion of a key;

and detecting the insertion an end function key into the lock, the insertion of the end function key causing the electronic circuitry to read key data from the memory, update the access tables on the basis of the read key data and cause the lock to exit the programming mode, and power down the lock,

wherein the access table update is determined depending on the number of master key data items stored in the memory.

14. An electromechanical lock comprising

means for generating operating power upon the insertion of a key into the lock;

means for detecting one or more insertions of an associated master key, the insertion of the associated master key initializing a programming mode, storing key data of each inserted key into the memory, powering down the lock between each insertion of a key;

means for detecting the insertions of one or more keys, storing key data of each inserted key into the memory, powering down the lock between each insertion of a key; and

means for detecting the insertion an end function key into the lock, the insertion of the end function key causing the means to read key data from the memory, update the access tables on the basis of the read key data, and cause the lock to exit the programming mode, and power down the lock,

wherein the access table update is determined depending on the number of master key data items stored in the memory.