Method and stacking system for serving a container

Abstract

Method for supplying a container (2), wherein a selection container (6) is selected from a plurality of containers (2) which are managed in an automated stacking storage system and stored in a stacking storage system (1) and is automatically moved from the stacking storage system (1) to a workstation (9), wherein the workstation (9) has a housing (13) for receiving the selection container (6) and a recess (10), wherein the selection container (6) is divided into a number of compartments (5a-d) of container compartments, wherein a computer system (4) of the stacking storage system controls transport devices (3) for moving the plurality of containers (2) from the stacking storage system (1) to the workstation (9) and from the workstation (9) to the stacking storage system (1), wherein at least some containers (2) of the plurality of containers (2) are divided into a respective number of compartments, characterized in thatthat the recess (10) substantially corresponds in its dimensions to an opening of the selection container (6), that the recess (10) is substantially rectangular, that the selection container (6) is automatically positioned in the housing (13) of the workstation (9) such that the opening is aligned with the recess (10), that the workstation (9) has a plurality of light segments (11a-h) for indicating one of the plurality of container compartments (5a-d), that the light segments (11a-h) are arranged circumferentially around the recess (10), that the light segments (11a-d) are arranged substantially along an edge of the recess (10), that the light segments (11a-d) divide a first edge side (14) of the recess (10) into substantially uniform first edge sections, that the light segments (11a-d) divide a second edge side of the recess (10) divide into essentially equal second boundary sections,that the second edge side is a horizontal edge side with respect to the plane of the recess (10), that at least one container compartment (5a-d) of the plurality of container compartments (5a-d) is designated, that those light segments (11a-h) are activated to illuminate which indicate the designated at least one container compartment (5a-d), that to indicate the designated at least one container compartment (5a-d) a first light segment (11a-d) of a first edge section and a second light segment (11a-d) of a second edge section are activated, that the first edge section and the second edge section correspond to a position of the designated at least one container compartment (5a-d), and that additional information about the contents of the designated container compartment (5a-d) is displayed on a display device (12) of the workstation (9) arranged in a plane of the light segments.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for serving a container and a stack storage system for serving a container.

[0002] Storage systems are known from the prior art in which a large number of containers are automatically managed and moved in a stacked warehouse. For the insertion of parts into a container for storage in the storage system, or for the reverse process of picking parts from a container in the storage system, the storage system selects the correct container and automatically transports it to a workstation. At this workstation, a user has access to the container to place the relevant part(s) into the container or to remove the part(s) from the container. The container is thus presented to the user.

[0003] After the user has completed the respective operation, the container is automatically moved away from the workstation and into the stacking storage area. A computer in the storage system also manages the allocation of the containers with the respective parts. Therefore, to access the part or parts in the container again, the user does not need to be able to identify the corresponding container. Instead, the part or parts in question can be requested directly from the storage system, which then automatically determines the container and its location within the storage system and moves it back to the workstation.

[0004] The objects to be stored in the containers are usually small parts that are smaller than the container itself. In such cases, the individual containers are divided into different compartments. This also means that while the storage system can present the correct container to the user at the workstation, the user must select the correct compartment during the picking process or goods receipt. The corresponding compartment is usually displayed on a screen near the workstation.

[0005] However, the screen is usually positioned in such a way that even if it is in principle visible from the user's position when reaching into the bin, reading the information from the screen requires at least a change in the user's line of sight. This leaves a certain risk that the compartment information on the screen will be forgotten or misremembered when changing the user's line of sight back to the bin.

[0006] The likely incorrect selection of the wrong compartment is difficult for the storage system to detect. The way the containers are stored also makes subsequent inspection very cumbersome, so that an incorrect compartment selection can often only be discovered when that exact compartment is requested again. Even in cases where the incorrect compartment selection can be detected earlier through an appropriate security mechanism, time is still lost and thus additional costs arise.

[0007] Prior art document WO 2019 / 140612 A1 discloses an intelligent method and system for warehouse picking. The system comprises a control system, a picking resource, a warehouse unit, a collective display device, a picking storage unit, and a picking display device.A control order to control the picking process is issued via the control system; the picking resource is used to pick the goods according to the control instruction and to store the picked and collected goods in the picking storage unit; the collection display device is used to display the location of the goods currently to be picked in the warehouse by means of visual information according to the control instruction; and the picking display device is used to indicate to the picking resource, according to the control instruction, that it should store the picked goods at a location in the picking storage unit.

[0008] Prior art US 9 957 107 B2 shows an automated storage system that enables the storage and retrieval of items from a common storage space, such as a warehouse. The system includes an arrangement of storage rails supporting storage bins. A delivery rail network extends adjacent to the storage rails and to workstations operated by workers. Picking devices maneuvering along the delivery rail system locate a selected storage bin, decouple the bin from the storage rail system, and transport the storage bin along a section of the delivery rail network. A mover device then receives the selected storage bin from the picking device and transports the storage bin to a workstation where the human worker can remove and / or add items to the storage bin.

[0009] DE 34 01 493 A1 from the prior art discloses a position indicator device for rotating racks, endless storage chains or similar devices, in which a position indicator bar made of a plastic extruded profile is used, which has a guide channel for the force- or self-closing mounting of position lights at freely selectable locations and which is also provided with a holder for a printed circuit board or conductor track for the power supply of the position lights.

[0010] DE 103 40 143 A1 from the prior art discloses a picking station to which storage containers can be transported via a storage container conveyor line and from which order containers, into which articles are picked from the storage containers by a picking person, can be transported via an order container conveyor line, wherein the picking station has a buffer for a plurality of order containers to be picked and wherein the order containers can be stored in the buffer and / or removed from the buffer by means of a shuttle.

[0011] US 8,335,585 B2 from the prior art discloses a goods distribution center and a method for its operation for goods to be handled, preferably in divided storage and transport containers, with at least two storage areas for product groups with different turnover frequencies. It comprises a goods receipt area, a goods issue area, and at least one picking area. Conveyor devices form, for example, conveyor belts, roller conveyors, and storage and retrieval machines. Storage devices form, for example, high-bay racks, flow racks, etc. In addition, data input and output devices are provided at workstations, which are communicatively connected to a storage, control, and monitoring device. The conveyor devices in the goods receipt area and the picking area are designed as continuous conveyor devices that are connected to one another via transfer conveyors to form storage and retrieval devices.Recording devices that are communicatively connected to the storage, control and monitoring device are arranged on the conveyor systems, e.g. data scanners for recording container data from the storage and transport containers.

[0012] Prior art document WO 2017 / 197 121 A1 discloses an order fulfillment system comprising a multi-level container storage structure, one or more autonomous mobile robots configured to pick, transport and place one or more containers, and one or more workstations configured to receive a picker who transports one or more units from a container on one of the autonomous mobile robots to a "drop-off location", the autonomous mobile robots being configured to move from level to level in the order fulfillment device.

[0013] Prior art WO 2018 / 195200 A1 discloses a workstation for transferring objects between containers, such as product and order containers, in an order fulfillment system. The workstation may comprise an object pickup system, for example, including a measuring arrangement or an image processing system, that controls and monitors the transfer of objects between the containers.

[0014] CN 1 09 078 874 A discloses an intelligent sorting system and method. The intelligent sorting system comprises a computer and at least one picking table, wherein the picking table comprises a carrier and several sorting baskets, and an indicator lamp and a scale are arranged on the carrier and each sorting basket. Depending on the sorting method, intelligent and highly efficient sorting of goods is achieved by coordinating the indicator lamp and scale of the picking table and the intelligent sorting system.

[0015] The hyperlink https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=Na7wI9R9Bck refers to a video showing a state-of-the-art automated stacking storage system from the company Knapp.

[0016] The hyperlink https: / / www.youtube.com / watch?v=PX-HFHEZwhU refers to a video showing what is considered to be the closest state-of-the-art automated stacking storage system from the company Medline.

[0017] Against this background, the object of the invention is to provide an improved method for serving a container and an improved stacking storage system for serving a container, which enable a user to more reliably identify a specific compartment within a served container. The term "serving a container" is understood here and below to refer to the entire process in which the container is selected in the stacking storage, transported to the workstation, and positioned there so that it is available to the user. Any return transport of the container to the stacking storage also falls under the scope of serving.

[0018] This object is achieved by a method for serving a container having the features of claim 1 and by a stack storage system for serving a container having the features of claim 8.

[0019] Key to the invention is the finding that a segmented lighting arrangement at the workstation, which frames the recess of the workstation for access to the container, is particularly suitable for reliably identifying a compartment within the container. A lighting arrangement positioned in this way is not only comparatively simple in its construction and therefore less susceptible to failure, it is also always in the user's field of vision while placing or placing parts in the compartment. The risk of misidentification of a compartment is thus minimized.

[0020] The proposed method serves to deliver a container, wherein a selection container is selected from a plurality of containers managed in an automated stacking storage system and stored in a stacking warehouse and automatically moved from the stacking warehouse to a workstation. The stacking storage system preferably comprises the stacking warehouse and / or the plurality of containers.

[0021] In the proposed method, the workstation comprises a housing for receiving the selection container and a recess, the dimensions of which substantially correspond to an opening in the selection container. The selection container is automatically positioned in the housing of the workstation such that the opening is aligned with the recess. This allows the user to reach through the recess into the opening and thus into the container. Consequently, objects can be placed in or removed from the container. The selection container is simply the selected container, which can, in principle, be any one of the plurality of containers.

[0022] Furthermore, in the proposed method, the selection container is divided into a number of container compartments, wherein the workstation has a plurality of illuminated segments for indicating a container compartment of the plurality of container compartments, wherein the illuminated segments are arranged circumferentially around the recess. The number of container compartments into which the selection container is divided is fundamentally arbitrary. This number of container compartments is referred to here as the number of compartments. In principle, the manner in which the subdivision is implemented is also arbitrary. Preferably, the selection container has divider inserts for subdividing it into the plurality of container compartments. It is possible that all the other containers of the plurality of containers are also divided, although it is also possible that some other containers or all of the other containers of the plurality of containers are not divided.

[0023] In the proposed method, at least one container compartment of the plurality of container compartments is identified, and those light segments indicating the specific at least one container compartment are activated to illuminate. In other words, the specific at least one container compartment is indicated by illuminating specific light segments that are activated to effect illumination.

[0024] In principle, each container of the plurality of containers can be divided into a different number of compartments. It is preferred that all containers of the plurality of containers be divided into the same number of compartments.

[0025] The proposed method is characterized in that a warehouse computer system of the stack storage system controls transport devices for moving the plurality of containers from the stack storage to the workstation and from the workstation to the stack storage. The transport devices can essentially be designed in any desired manner. Preferably, the stack storage system comprises the transport devices.

[0026] In principle, the light segments can be controlled by any device or computer system. A preferred embodiment of the proposed method is characterized in that the workstation has a processor device that controls the light segments. This processor device can be either a full-fledged personal computer or a microcontroller with a more limited range of functions. It is preferred that the processor device be arranged in the housing.

[0027] According to the proposal, at least some of the plurality of containers are divided into a respective number of compartments. Preferably, a management computer system maintains an association between a plurality of inventory objects and the container compartments of the at least some containers. The inventory objects can be items that have been placed in the plurality of containers. Preferably, all of the plurality of containers are divided into a respective number of compartments. The management computer system may be the warehouse computer system. However, it may also be the case that the management computer system is different from the warehouse computer system.

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the proposed method is characterized in that the selection container is selected according to selection information. The warehouse computer system preferably receives the selection information. In particular, the warehouse computer system may select the selection container. The selection information may be of any type. In particular, the selection information may consist of a single number, a single sequence of digits, or a single sequence of alphanumeric characters. The selection information then forms the direct or indirect basis for selecting the selection container. On the one hand, the selection information may be entered by a user. However, the selection information may also be generated by a computer system, in particular by the management computer system.

[0029] In principle, it is possible that the selection information already specifies an inventory object, that the selection information is received by the warehouse computer system, and that the warehouse computer system selects a container compartment based on the specified inventory object and the selection container with this container compartment. An assignment managed by the warehouse computer system would then allow a specific inventory object to be requested as part of the selection information.

[0030] However, it is preferred that object information specifying an inventory object be entered by a user, and that the selection information be generated based on the object information and the assignment. Here, it is further preferred that the object information be received by the management computer system, and that the selection information be generated by the management computer system. In this way, the management of the objects in the containers can be separated from the management of the containers in the stacking warehouse.

[0031] As described above, the management computer system can generate the selection information from the object information using its assignment and thus initiate the selection of the correct container from the stacking warehouse. Furthermore, the assignment allows the management computer system to determine the correct container compartment based on the assignment of the object information. However, the warehouse computer system may not "know" the division of the containers into container compartments. Therefore, it is expedient for the management computer system to control the light segments, bypassing the warehouse computer system. A preferred embodiment of the proposed method is characterized in that the at least one container compartment is determined based on the object information and the assignment, preferably by the management computer system.

[0032] In particular, the management computer system may initiate the activation of the light segments. In this case, the management computer system may send a control message to the processor device for activating the light segments for displaying the specific at least one container compartment.

[0033] After the warehouse computer system has received the selection information, the warehouse computer system then transports the container it has identified - which is thus also selected as the selection container - to the workstation.

[0034] In principle, the light segments can be arranged around the recess in various ways. The proposed arrangement is essentially along one edge of the recess. This way, the light segments are particularly close to the container opening.

[0035] In principle, gaps may also be present between the luminous segments. A preferred embodiment of the proposed method is characterized in that the luminous segments are arranged essentially closed along the edge of the recess.

[0036] According to the proposal, the recess is essentially rectangular.

[0037] According to the proposal, the luminous segments divide a first edge of the recess into substantially uniform first edge sections. The number of first edge sections is essentially arbitrary. Preferably, there are a plurality of first edge sections. Relative to the plane of the recess, the first edge can be a vertical edge. It is further preferred that the division of the first edge into first edge sections corresponds to a division of the selected container into the container compartments along the first edge section.

[0038] According to the proposal, the luminous segments divide a second edge side of the recess into substantially uniform second edge sections. The number of second edge sections is also essentially arbitrary. Preferably, there are a plurality of second edge sections. With respect to the plane of the recess, the second edge side is, according to the proposal, a horizontal edge side. It is preferred that the first edge side runs substantially at right angles to the second edge side. It is also preferred that the division of the second edge side into second edge sections corresponds to a division of the selected container into the container compartments along the second edge section.

[0039] According to the proposal, it is provided that in order to display the specific at least one container compartment, a first light segment of a first edge section and a second light segment of a second edge section are controlled and that the first edge section and the second edge section correspond to a position of the specific at least one container compartment.

[0040] In principle, the light segments can be of any type. A further preferred embodiment of the proposed method is characterized in that the light segments comprise light-emitting diodes.

[0041] According to the proposal, additional information regarding the contents of at least one specific container compartment is displayed on a display device of the workstation arranged in a plane of the illuminated segments. The plane of the illuminated segments is the imaginary plane spanned by the illuminated segments.

[0042] According to a further preferred embodiment of the proposed method, the housing has a frame and a lid having the recess, the lid rests floating on the frame, and the workstation has a warning switch which is activated when the lid is adjusted relative to the frame. This ensures that no injuries occur if the workstation user reaches into the recess when a container is missing. This is because, if a container is to be transported into the housing in this situation, the user's hand will not be trapped; instead, only the lid will be displaced. The warning switch is also activated, whereupon a fault signal or a standstill signal can be output.

[0043] The proposed stacking storage system serves to deliver a container, whereby the stacking storage system is designed to automatically manage a large number of containers and to store them in a stacking warehouse of the stacking storage system.

[0044] The proposed stacking storage system is configured to select a selection container and to move it automatically from the stacking storage to a workstation of the stacking storage system, wherein the workstation has a housing for receiving the selection container and a recess, which recess essentially corresponds in its dimensions to an opening of the selection container.

[0045] Furthermore, the proposed stacking storage system is configured to automatically position the selection container in the housing such that the opening is aligned with the recess, wherein the selection container is divided into a number of compartments of container compartments, wherein the workstation has a plurality of illuminated segments for indicating a container compartment of the plurality of container compartments, wherein the illuminated segments are arranged circumferentially around the recess.

[0046] Furthermore, the proposed stacking storage system is configured to determine at least one container compartment of the plurality of container compartments and to control those light segments to illuminate which indicate the at least one specific container compartment.

[0047] Preferred embodiments, features and properties of the proposed method correspond to those of the proposed stack storage system and vice versa.

[0048] Further advantageous and preferred embodiments will become apparent from the following description with reference to the figures. The drawing, which merely shows one exemplary embodiment, shows Fig. 1 a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a proposed stack storage system for carrying out the proposed method and Fig. 2 a schematic diagram of the work station of the stack storage system of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3a-d each show a schematic diagram of the light segments of the workstation of the Fig. 2 in different lighting states.

[0049] The Fig. The stack storage system shown in Figure 1 comprises a stack storage 1 in which a plurality of containers 2 are stored. The containers 2 are moved by transport devices 3, which here are designed as robots, which are controlled by a warehouse computer system 4 of the stack storage system. In addition to the warehouse computer system 4, the stack storage system also comprises a management computer system 16 separate from the warehouse computer system 4.

[0050] The containers 2 are clearly positioned in different stacks and can be flexibly moved within the stack storage system 1 by the transport devices 3. The movement of the containers 2, including any necessary repositioning during intermediate steps, takes place in the background and is therefore completely transparent to the user of the stack storage system.

[0051] First, the user is to store a small part (not shown here as such). All containers 2 in the stacking storage 1 are divided into four container compartments 5a-d each by partition walls 7. The containers 2 are also open at their top and accordingly have a respective opening. The user enters the identification of a small part as object information into the management computer system 4. This object information specifies the type and thus the dimensions of the object for which the user wishes to process goods receipt. From the user's perspective, it is not a question of a specific container compartment 5a-d in a specific container 2, but only of being offered a container that actually has an empty container compartment 5a-d whose dimensions are suitable for the object specified in the object information.

[0052] The management computer system 16 maintains an assignment in which the containers 2 of the stacking warehouse 1 are described, along with their respective subdivision into container compartments 5a-d and their respective occupancy by objects. Using this assignment, the management computer system 16 can thus track whether and with which objects each container compartment 5a-d of the containers in the stacking warehouse 1 is occupied. The management computer system 16 compares the object information entered by the user with the data from the assignment and determines a container 2—namely, the selection container 6—with a container compartment 5a-d that can accommodate the object according to the object information. The specific container compartment 5a is the selection compartment 8.

[0053] The management computer system 16 generates selection information that identifies the selection container 6 and transmits this selection information to the warehouse computer system 4. Based on the selection information, the warehouse computer system 4 then determines the selection container 6 in the stacking warehouse 1. Alternatively, the management computer system 16 can request the warehouse computer system 4, using appropriate selection information, to itself determine such a container 2 with a matching container compartment 5a-d as the selection container 6. This can happen, in particular, if the warehouse computer system 4 manages the assignment.

[0054] The selection container 6 is transported from the stack storage system to its work station 9 and into the housing 13 of the work station 9, which housing 13 is also in the Fig. 2. The workstation 9 has a recess 10 in its housing 13. The selection container 6 is positioned in the workstation 9 such that the opening of the selection container 6 is aligned with the recess 10. This fact is also shown in the Fig. 2. The dimensions of the recess 10 correspond to the opening of the selection container 6.

[0055] The eight light segments 11a-h of the workstation 9, formed by light-emitting diodes, are arranged around the recess 10. These divide both the Fig. 2 left vertical edge side of the recess 10 - here referred to as the first edge side 14 - as well as the lower horizontal edge side of the recess 10 according to the same illustration - here referred to as the second edge side 15 - into equal first and second edge sections respectively.

[0056] As described above, the management computer system 16 has determined the selection compartment 8. The management computer system 16 now sends a control message to the processor device, in response to which the light segments 11a-h are controlled by the processor device in such a way that they indicate the specific container compartment 5a and thus the selection compartment 8. In particular, the light segments 11b and 11c are controlled to light up, which corresponds to the Fig. 3a corresponds to the lighting configuration of the light segments 11a-h. Alternative lighting configurations for indicating the container compartments 5b-d are shown in the Fig. 3b-d.

[0057] The user now completes the goods receipt by placing the small part in the container compartment 5a and acknowledging the process. A container number, which identifies the selection container 6, is now displayed on the display device 12 of the workstation 9. The user enters an identifier, e.g., an article number, of the small part they have placed into the management computer system 4, and this identifier, along with the selection compartment 8, is also linked to the container number. This and all other similar links are maintained as an assignment in the management computer system 16. Following this entry, the selection container 6 is transported back to the stacking warehouse 1.

[0058] After a while, the small part needs to be picked again. The user then enters the object information previously entered during goods receipt, namely the identification of the small part, into the management computer system 16. Based on this object information and the assignment, the management computer system again generates selection information corresponding to the selection container 6 and transmits this selection information to the warehouse computer system 4.

[0059] Controlled by the warehouse computer system 4, the selection container 8 is automatically transported to the workstation 9 and positioned as before. The management computer system 14 again determines the selection compartment 8, sends a control message to the processor device, and thereby triggers the lighting segments 11b to illuminate again. In this way, the container compartment 5a is again displayed as the selection compartment 8. The previously inserted small part can be picked.

Claims

[1] A method for delivering a container (2), wherein a selection container (6) is selected from a plurality of containers (2) which are managed in an automated stack storage system and stored in a stack storage (1) and is automatically moved from the stack storage (1) to a workstation (9), wherein the workstation (9) has a housing (13) for receiving the selection container (6) and a recess (10), wherein the selection container (6) is divided into a number of compartments of container compartments (5a-d), wherein a computer system (4) of the stack storage system controls transport devices (3) for moving the plurality of containers (2) from the stack storage (1) to the workstation (9) and from the workstation (9) to the stack storage (1), wherein at least some containers (2) of the plurality of containers (2) are divided into a respective number of compartments, characterized bythat the recess (10) corresponds in its dimensions substantially to an opening of the selection container (6), that the recess (10) is substantially rectangular, that the selection container (6) is automatically positioned in the housing (13) of the work station (9) such that the opening is aligned with the recess (10), that the work station (9) has a plurality of illuminated segments (11a-h) for indicating a container compartment (5a-d) of the plurality of container compartments (5a-d), that the illuminated segments (11a-h) are arranged circumferentially around the recess (10), that the illuminated segments (11a-d) are arranged substantially along an edge of the recess (10), that the illuminated segments (11a-d) divide a first edge side (14) of the recess (10) into substantially uniform first edge sections, that the illuminated segments (11a-d) divide a second edge side of the Divide the recess (10) into substantially uniform second edge sections,that the second edge side is a horizontal edge side with respect to the plane of the recess (10), that at least one container compartment (5a-d) of the plurality of container compartments (5a-d) is determined, that those light segments (11a-h) are controlled to light up which indicate the specific at least one container compartment (5a-d), that to display the specific at least one container compartment (5a-d), a first light segment (11a-d) of a first edge section and a second light segment (11a-d) of a second edge section are controlled, that the first edge section and the second edge section correspond to a position of the specific at least one container compartment (5a-d), and that additional information on a content of the specific container compartment (5a-d) is displayed on a display device (12) of the workstation (9) arranged in a plane of the light segments. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat a management computer system (4) maintains an association between a plurality of inventory objects and the container compartments (5a-d) of at least some containers (2). [3] Method according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized by that the selection container (6) is selected according to selection information, preferably that the selection information is generated by a computer system. [4] Method according to claim 3, characterized by that object information specifying an inventory object is input by a user and that the selection information is generated based on the object information and the assignment, preferably that the object information is received by the management computer system (16) and that the selection information is generated by the management computer system (16). [5] Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat the luminous segments (11a-d) are arranged substantially closed along the edge of the recess (10). [6] Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the light segments (11a-d) comprise light-emitting diodes. [7] Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the housing has a frame and a cover having the recess, that the cover rests on the frame in a floating manner and that the workstation has a warning switch which is activated when the cover is adjusted relative to the frame [8] Stack storage system for serving a container (2), wherein the stack storage system is configured to automatically manage a plurality of containers (2) and to store them in a stack storage (1) of the stack storage system, wherein the stack storage system is configured to select a selection container (6) and to automatically move it from the stack storage (1) to a workstation (9) of the stack storage system, wherein the workstation (9) has a housing (13) for receiving the selection container (6) and a recess (10), wherein the selection container (6) is divided into a number of compartments of container compartments (5a-d), wherein a computer system (4) of the stack storage system is configured to control transport devices (3) for moving the plurality of containers (2) from the stack storage (1) to the workstation (9) and from the workstation (9) to the stack storage (1),wherein at least some containers (2) of the plurality of containers (2) are divided into a respective number of compartments, , characterized bythat the recess (10) corresponds in its dimensions substantially to an opening of the selection container (6), that the recess (10) is substantially rectangular, wherein the stack storage system is designed to automatically position the selection container (6) in the housing (13) such that the opening is aligned with the recess (10), that the workstation (9) has a plurality of illuminated segments (11a-d) for indicating a container compartment (5a-d) of the plurality of container compartments (5a-d), that the illuminated segments (11a-d) are arranged circumferentially around the recess (10), that the illuminated segments (11a-d) are arranged substantially along an edge of the recess (10), that the illuminated segments (11a-d) divide a first edge side (14) of the recess (10) into substantially uniform first edge sections, that the illuminated segments (11a-d) have a second Divide the edge side of the recess (10) into substantially uniform second edge sections,that the second edge side is a horizontal edge side with respect to the plane of the recess (10), that the stack storage system is designed to determine at least one container compartment (5a-d) of the plurality of container compartments (5a-d) and to control those light segments (11a-d) to light up which indicate the determined at least one container compartment (5a-d), that the stack storage system is designed to control a first light segment (11a-d) of a first edge section and a second light segment (11a-d) of a second edge section to indicate the determined at least one container compartment (5a-d), that the first edge section and the second edge section correspond to a position of the determined at least one container compartment (5a-d), and that the workstation (9) comprises a display device (12) arranged in a plane of the light segments, which display device is designed tothat additional information on the contents of the specific container compartment (5a-d) is displayed on it.,

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