A-frame refill process

Abstract

The invention relates to a picking device and to a method for operating the picking device, wherein the picking device (10) for the automated picking of articles (13) of different article types (19) according to at least one picking order has: a plurality of shafts (16), each of which is designed to store an article-type-specific stack (18) of articles (13) and to (individually) eject the stored articles (13); a plurality of markings (22), wherein one of the markings (22) can be positioned on each of the shafts (16) at an article-specific shaft height (H) which can be selected by an operator (24); a controller (28); and a communication unit (30) that comprises an input unit (32) into which the operator (24) inputs information and which is connected to the controller (28); wherein the controller (28) is designed: to receive and store a shaft-specific and article-specific filling number (26), wherein the filling number (26): is selected article-specifically by the operator (24) for each of the shafts (16) and is input into the communication unit (30); corresponds to the respective article-specific shaft height (H); and corresponds to a shaft-specific and article-specific target stock; and to determine and store, for each of the shafts (16), a shaft-specific actual stock (46), which corresponds to a number of the articles (13) currently stored in the respective shaft (16), on the basis of a count of a number of articles (13) already ejected.

Description

A-frame refill process The present disclosure relates to a picking device, in particular a (shaft) picking machine, and a method for operating the picking device. "Picking devices" for the automated removal of stored items to fulfill a picking order are known. These devices, also called "picking machines," feature (storage) channels or shafts filled with only one item at a time. At the lower ends of each shaft, an ejector is located that ejects the stored items in a quantity (number of pieces) specified by the picking order. In many cases, such a picking device comprises up to several hundred shafts, especially arranged side by side. These picking machines are also called "shaft order pickers," "shaft machines," or "A-frames." A shaft filled with only one item stores exclusively articles of a single article type. This type of article storage is also referred to as "single-sorted". The article types must be "machine-compatible". This means that the article types have predetermined geometries and dimensions that enable storage in the shafts and automated ejection. The shafts are oriented in such a way that the articles remaining within the respective shaft after ejection are moved or guided passively in the direction of the respective ejector without an active drive, i.e., passively, due to gravity. In an A-frame, which is preferably used for fast-moving items or A-articles (Pareto distribution), the shafts are oriented almost vertically, whereas the shafts in an order picking machine for slow and / or medium-moving items (i.e., for B and / or C articles) are oriented with only a slight inclination (e.g., 15°-20°) relative to the horizontal (i.e.almost horizontally). Ejection occurs, for example, onto a lower arranged collecting belt of a belt conveyor, which can be operated with a so-called "window technology", or directly into an order container, which is positioned on a conveyor and guided laterally below the ejectors. The picking orders, which each consist of at least one order line that defines an ordered article type in an ordered quantity, determine which of the shafts is activated for ejection and how many articles from the respective shaft are ejected. In this way, the shafts are emptied during computer-assisted, picking order-specific ejections, so that the shafts must be refilled regularly. The corresponding replenishment articles are (preferably single article) in (e.g.The items are stored in flow racks, which are usually located in close proximity, preferably directly opposite, to the respective shafts. Replenishment is usually done manually, with an operator removing the replenishment items from the replenishment rack and transferring them to the completely empty or nearly empty shaft(s). The refill process is usually done "by sight." This means that the operator, whose main task is to refill emptied chutes, walks up and down an aisle between the machine and the shelves, visually identifying empty chutes. An empty chute identified in this way is refilled with the items assigned to it, for example, by the operator scanning a barcode associated with the chute-assigned item type located in the immediate vicinity. of the shaft, which is clearly and unambiguously positioned and assigned to the shaft in order to inform the computer at least of the article type, and if necessary also of the shaft itself, that needs to be refilled. The computer can then search for and inform the operator of the storage location of the required article (type). The operator goes to the storage location, scans the stored article type again, removes the required quantity of replenishment articles and transfers these to the empty shaft. Finally, the operator can scan the shaft barcode again to verify, acknowledge and complete the refill process. The refill process is therefore computer-aided in that the operator is informed accordingly via a mobile data terminal and communicates with the computer. In this case, the refill process is triggered by visual recognition by the operator and is therefore unreliable because the operator cannot see the empty ordoes not see or overlook the almost empty shaft. To solve this problem, EP 1 737 766 B1 proposes providing a guide rail above the shafts of an A-frame, on which a trolley is positioned so that it can move horizontally. The trolley is equipped with an optical distance measuring device in order to measure a distance within each shaft relative to a top article in the stack of articles stored there. From the distance determined in this way, a computer can calculate the fill level for each shaft. The dimensions of the respective article type and its packaging are stored in the computer in the form of master data. The difference between a (shaft-specific) total length of the respective shaft, which is also stored in the computer, and the measured distance corresponds to a fill height of the corresponding shaft. Based on the fill height and the dimensions, in particular a vertical extension, of an individual article, the number of articles still in the shaft (actual stock orcurrent fill level). If the current fill level is lower than a minimum fill level (target stock), a refill order can be generated automatically. Furthermore, it is known that the computer counts each ejection (e.g., via the corresponding ejector signal) in order to compare the measured fill level (actual stock) with a counted fill level. To determine the counted fill level, an initial fill level (i.e., a quantity at the time the shaft is commissioned) must be known and stored. Alternatively, sensors (e.g., switches, light barriers, or light sensors) can be installed at predetermined shaft heights to detect emptying of the corresponding shaft. These sensors are positioned in a lower end section of the respective shaft to detect a remaining quantity of, for example, 2-3 items. The automated detection of a drop below the predetermined (critical) remaining quantity (minimum fill level) leads to the automated issuance of a (rush) refill order, which can place additional stress on the operator, for example, because they did not visually detect and recognize the emptying of the channel in a timely manner. This represents a further source of error that can result in reduced picking performance (number of items ejected per unit of time). DE 35 33 382 A1 discloses a fill level indicator in which a counting device for the number of items fed into the supply magazine and the number of items released from the supply magazine is located at the top and bottom of each shaft (called a magazine there). These counting devices automatically count the items fed into and released from the supply magazine, and the computer then calculates the actual stock level. A control unit can indicate whether a sufficient supply of items is still available in the respective shaft or whether there is a risk that all of these items will soon be ejected, requiring refilling. Also problematic are cases where a tray is currently sufficiently full but is critically emptied in the near future due to a future order. Critical emptying means that a certain number of items remain in the tray that does not allow for the complete processing of future orders (without refilling the tray). It can therefore happen that a tray is emptied during an ejection process and must be refilled immediately or during the process in order to fully and correctly process the corresponding picking order. A major disadvantage of known level monitoring systems is that the operator only randomly fills those shafts where a message to refill the shafts has just been issued, e.g. in the form of an alarm. , whereby the operator does not know at this point which shafts absolutely need to be refilled. This means that it cannot be ensured that the operator prioritizes filling those shafts that must contain a sufficient stock of items to be picked in order to correctly fulfill an order or subsequent, future orders (see also EP 1 737 766 B1). DE 42 25 041 A1 describes a picking system, the system comprising a unidirectionally driven conveyor belt for picking up picked objects and transporting them to a discharge end of a belt. A series of elongated compartments is used to hold batches of the objects. The compartments are arranged vertically above the conveyor belt. At the lower end of each compartment, an emptying device is provided. These compartments are each designed to deposit the lowest object in the stack onto the conveyor belt located below. The conveyor belt then transfers the objects to a transport belt. According to its title, AT 501 897 A4 relates to a method and a device for automatically feeding a goods dispensing device. Therefore, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved order-picking device and an improved method for operating the same, particularly with regard to filling shafts. Filling should be reliable and simple, using as few sensors as possible. Nevertheless, it would be desirable to have information about the current fill level of each of the shafts at all times. An automatic, particularly sensorless, inventory function would also be advantageous. This object is achieved by a picking device for the automated picking of articles of different article types according to at least one picking order, which comprises: a plurality of shafts, each of which is designed to store a stack of articles of the same article type and to eject the stored articles, in particular individually; a plurality of, in particular visually recognizable, markings, wherein one of the markings is provided on each the shafts (16), in particular variable, can be positioned at an article-specific shaft height, which can be selected, in particular freely, by an operator; a control device; and a communication unit which comprises an input unit into which the operator enters information and which is connected to the control device; wherein the control device is configured: to receive and store a shaft- and article-specific filling number, wherein the filling number: is selected for each of the shafts in an article-specific manner by the operator and entered into the communication unit; corresponds to the respective article-specific shaft height; and corresponds to a shaft- and article-specific target stock;and to determine and store for each of the shafts a shaft-specific actual inventory corresponding to a number of articles currently stored in the respective shaft, based on a count of a number of articles already ejected; A significant advantage is the cost optimization achieved through sensorless piece count detection. A shaft-specific fill level can be determined without sensors. Stationary sensors at the shaft are no longer required. Movable sensors for multiple shafts are no longer required. The shafts also do not require camera monitoring or similar devices. Minimum fill level sensors are no longer required. Cyclic scanning of the shafts is not necessary. The marking will usually be located at the upper end of the shaft or channel, but can be at different heights depending on the product or article, with a product-specific quantity assigned to this height. This results in a calculated quantity depending on the article's characteristics, optionally taking into account external factors such as various compression factors. This means that the article master data does not need to be saved and taken into account for this purpose, especially not during or by the picking device. The refill process can be visualized and supported by a user-friendly put-to-light display. The refill process can be improved by an optical display on the shaft. A software-guided refill process is enabled, which is tailored to future needs Empty shafts can be avoided (preventively). In this way, one of the main goals can be achieved by preventing empty trays, empty rejects, and errors. Incompletely picked orders that require a check station are avoided. The refill process is user-friendly, as refillers can immediately see which tray needs to be refilled. Demand-based refilling increases employee efficiency. Unnecessary refilling activities without a need can be avoided because emptying shafts are not visualized as requiring refilling without an ad hoc need. This allows for demand-oriented refilling that depends on the current needs of the shaft, e.g., the daily requirement, rather than the current fill level. For critical article types, the possibility is created to avoid errors that could occur, for example, when ejecting the last two items from the shaft, by simply filling the shaft earlier than usual. Preferably, the order-picking device further comprises one, preferably single, input unit, wherein the operator enters the shaft-specific filling number into the communication unit, which is configured for data exchange with the control device and which is preferably a mobile, portable data terminal. Shaft-specific control units can be omitted. The total number of input and / or output units required to perform refilling operations can be reduced. A (single) communication unit may be sufficient to supply all shafts. In particular, the control device is further configured to update the actual stock to the target stock as soon as an acknowledgment signal is received, in particular from an input unit, indicating that the corresponding shaft has been filled (initially or again), wherein the shafts must always be filled during a filling, in particular exactly, up to the article-specific shaft height with a corresponding number of articles of the shaft-specific article type. The shaft-specific inventory update occurs automatically. The control unit simply receives a confirmation signal initiated by the operator. There is no need to communicate how many pieces have been refilled, as refilling always occurs up to the number of pieces initially specified by the operator. The operator does not have to count during refilling. Corresponding information does not need to be communicated to the control unit, thus reducing data traffic and the processing load on the control unit. However, the operator could count the number of items refilled during refilling and communicate this to the control unit, for example, upon receipt. This allows an inventory function to be implemented easily and inexpensively. Preferably, the actual stock is the difference between the target stock and the number of items already ejected. A simple count of the chute-specific ejections by the control system is sufficient to determine the respective fill level (actual stock) automatically and without sensors. The initial quantity (target stock) is known. In particular, the control device is further configured to generate a shaft-specific filling order based on a comparison between a required quantity, i.e. a total requirement, and the actual stocks, and in particular to transmit it to the operator, wherein the required quantity is determined by evaluating a number of (in particular future) picking orders. The filling or refilling order is issued based on demand. The operator does not have to fill every (empty) shaft immediately. Refilling can be orchestrated – and thus more efficiently, for example, through bundling. The operator no longer has to refill as frequently – on suspicion. The refilling process is software-initiated. Fewer operators are required. Refilling time is reduced. Preferably, the shaft-specific filling order is generated when the actual stock of the corresponding shaft is less than the number of articles required to (in particular completely) process the picking order(s), i.e. an article-specific requirement. Filling occurs—and especially exclusively—as needed. Unnecessary refilling is avoided. The refilling process is preventative. Empty ejections are avoided, especially when the corresponding chute appears sufficiently full at first glance, e.g., 80%, for the operator, who has no knowledge of the actual demand, but 85% is required for error-free picking. Preferably, a shaft-specific filling order comprises a priority attribute which indicates a position within a sequence of several shafts to be filled which are empty and / or which are at risk of running empty (in particular due to future picking orders). If several of the shafts need to be refilled, the refilling processes can be prioritized. For example, the shaft that will be empty next can be refilled first if its fill level is visually noticeable, making this unnecessary. Furthermore, prioritization can prevent the operator from losing track, especially when a large number of shafts are empty at the same time or are in danger of running dry. Prioritization can be an expression of route optimization for the operator. The order of the shafts to be refilled can be determined in a route-optimized manner, so that the operator has to travel shorter distances between the storage locations where the refill items are stored and the corresponding refill shafts. Other optimization factors (e.g. order processing time, priority of the picking order, etc.) can also influence the priority attribute of the filling order. Preferably, the order-picking device further comprises a (particularly continuously extending) light strip, e.g. consisting of a plurality of individually controllable LED elements, which is arranged along the shafts and which is configured to illuminate each of the shafts in an individualizing and distinguishable manner. Instead of equipping each shaft with its own display, a single display can be provided for multiple shafts. Installation costs are lower. Control costs are lower. It is easier to adjust to shaft widths that change during operation. The shaft width changes, for example, if an already configured shaft is to be filled with a different product in the future. In addition, shafts that store very small items and are therefore correspondingly narrow can be reliably illuminated to reliably show the operator the correct refill location. For this purpose, the control device can be connected to the light strip and furthermore be configured to initiate individualised and distinguishable lighting of one or more of the shafts. Preferably, each of the shafts has an ejector, in particular its own. In particular, each of the shaft-specific actual stocks is determined sensorlessly by the control device. The resulting advantages have already been explained above. Preferably, the picking device is a picking machine, in particular an A-frame. The advantages of the present disclosure are particularly evident in A-frames. A-frames have a large number of slots, making refilling complicated. It takes a very long time, and there's a risk of sequencing errors because prioritizing with the naked eye is difficult, if not impossible. In particular, the shaft-specific actual stocks are determined regardless of item master data, which specifies the dimensions and / or geometries of the respective item types. The object is further achieved by a method for operating a picking device, which is designed in particular according to the type described above, which comprises the steps of: selecting a shaft from a plurality of shafts, and preferably selecting and linking an article type to be linked to the selected shaft; selecting a shaft- and article-specific fill count, in particular by an operator; positioning a marker at a corresponding shaft height of the selected shaft, which marker corresponds to the selected fill count; and communicating the selected fill count to a control device of the picking device. It is the operator who positions the marker on the shaft at the correct height for each article, based primarily on experience. The article master data plays no role in this process, so it does not need to be saved and used (in this context). Filling always occurs up to the marker, reducing data traffic. Compression effects can be taken into account, which are not reflected in the article data. Since the control unit can count the ejections, the shafts can be operated without sensors. The fill levels are always known. Refill orders can be generated automatically. If the article type changes, the operator can reposition the shaft-specific markers accordingly. In particular, the method comprises the further steps of: filling the selected tray with items of the linked item type exactly up to the mark, whenever the selected shaft is to be filled; acknowledgment of the filling; and resetting, by the control device, an actual stock with a target stock that corresponds to the shaft- and article-specific filling number when a corresponding acknowledgment signal is received. Neither the number of refilling items nor the number of actually refilled items needs to be exchanged between the control device and the operator, while the picking device's chutes can still be operated without sensors. It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. They show: Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a picking device (Fig. 1A) and a block diagram of a picking machine (Fig. 1B) according to Fig. 1B; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an A-frame; Fig. 3 a data structure in the form of an assignment table; Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a method for initially configuring a picking device; Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a method for filling a picking device; Fig. 6 is a flowchart of a method for operating a picking device (Fig. 6A) and optional steps for generating a demand-dependent filling order; Fig.7 is a block diagram of a first hardware configuration of a control device of Figs. 1 and 2; and Fig. 8 is a block diagram of a second hardware configuration of a control device of Figs. 1 and 2. The present disclosure relates to intralogistics applications. In particular, the present disclosure relates to (fully) automated order picking in an interlogistics system, such as a warehouse and / or order picking system. "Picking" is understood below to mean the compilation of a subset of items from a stock quantity of items, determined by a picking order. The picking order can be a customer order or a production order. In other words, this means that the present disclosure can be used both for item distribution (for example, in e-commerce, the pharmaceutical industry, etc.) and in internal production logistics. As is common in intralogistics, a longitudinal direction is designated X, a vertical direction Y, and a transverse direction Z, which together define a Cartesian coordinate system. Fig. 1A shows a block diagram of an automated order picking device 10. Fig. 1B shows a block diagram of an order picking machine 12 embodying an order picking device of Fig. 1A. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an order picking machine 12, which is an A-frame 14 and which represents an embodiment of the order picking device 10 of Fig. 1. The order picking device 10 is configured for the automated order picking of articles 13, which may comprise different article types 19 (cf. Fig. 3), according to at least one order picking order. The following describes the structure of an order picking machine 12 or A-frame 14. implemented picking device 10 will be described with simultaneous reference to Figures 1 and 2. Order picking machines 12 are often also referred to as "shaft order pickers" or "shaft machines." Figure 2 schematically illustrates a (double-decker) so-called "A-frame" 14. The A-frame 14 is a special (shaft) order picking machine 12 in which the (storage) shafts 16 are inclined at a preferably very steep angle of inclination a, which can lie in the YZ plane, relative to the horizontal (XZ plane), in particular more than 45°. In general, each of the shafts 16 is configured to store a stack 18 of articles 13 of a single article type and to eject (in particular individually) the respectively stored articles 13. Fig. 2 shows two (article) stacks 18-1 and 18-2 as examples. The stacks 18-1 and 18-2 are of different article types, which can also be referred to below as "article-single." The stack 18-1 is formed, for example, from articles 13-1 of a first article type 19, e.g., from article A. The stack 18-2 is formed, for example, from articles 13-2 of a second, different article type 19, e.g., from article B. If the stacks 18 are formed only from articles 13 of an identical article type 19, they are of the same article type or article-single. The shafts 16 can be arranged, preferably directly next to one another along the longitudinal direction X, in order to form one or more (shaft) rows 20. In Fig. 2, a front side of the A-frame 14 is illustrated with, as an example, two rows 20-1 and 20-2 arranged one above the other. The rear side of the A-frame 14 can be constructed correspondingly, i.e., mirror-inverted, with regard to the shafts 16. The shafts 16 can be implemented, for example, by U-shaped profiles that are open at the front, top, and bottom in order to fill the shafts 16 with the articles 13, preferably manually. The shafts 16 can have side walls and rear walls that together form the U-shaped profile that is open at the front. The side walls and rear walls are preferably continuous in order to stably support the articles 13 from as many sides as possible. The side walls and rear walls can, for example, be made of (thin) sheet metal. To eject the articles 13, the shafts 16 can be provided with ejectors or ejection devices 21. Each of the shafts 16 can be provided with its own ejector 21. However, an ejector 21 can also operate several shafts (individually), for example, by being movable. The ejectors 21 can be arranged in a lower end region of the shafts 16. Each of the ejectors 21 can have a mechanism for individually ejecting the bottommost article 13 of the corresponding stack 18. The mechanism can comprise a rotating traction means with at least one (protruding) carrier that pushes the bottommost article 13 away. It is understood that, alternatively, only a single row 20 could be provided, preferably extending over the entire height of both rows 20-1 and 20-2 shown in Fig. 2. More than two rows 20 can also be arranged one above the other. Furthermore, it is understood that several rows 20 can also be arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction. This explains why some order-picking machines 12 can comprise several hundred shafts 16. The order-picking machine 12 further comprises a plurality of markings 22, wherein one of the markings 22 can be positioned (variably) on each of the shafts 16 at an article-specific shaft height H, which can be (freely) selected by an operator 24. The markings 22 are preferably configured such that they are visually perceptible and recognizable by the operator 24. The markings 22, which are applied at different shaft heights H depending on the shaft and article, signal to the operator 24 an article-specific fill level (target stock) that corresponds to an article-specific fill count 26 (see Fig. 3). In Fig. 2, the filling number 26 for the articles 13-2 of the second stack 18-2 is, for example, 10. In other words, this means that the stack 18-2 is formed from 10 articles 13-2 and ends at the height H2 of the corresponding marking 22-2.The marking 22-1 is positioned at a specific (shaft) height H1 of the topmost article 13-1 of the stack 18-1. The marking 22-2 is positioned at a specific (shaft) height H2 of the topmost article 13-2 of the stack 18-2. The heights H1 and H2 are usually different because they depend on the respective article type 19 and the (filling) number 26 (see Fig. 3) of the articles 13 with which the The respective shaft 16 must (always) be filled so that the corresponding shaft 16 is filled. In other words, this means that whenever one of the shafts 16 is filled (initially or again), the corresponding shaft 16 must always be filled with enough items 13 so that a (pre-)specified number of items 13 (target stock or filling quantity 26) is located in the corresponding shaft 16. This number (filling number 26) is preferably (initially) determined by the operator 24. The operator 24 can, for example, initially fill each of the shafts 16 with a specific number of the articles 13 assigned to the respective shaft 16, using their eye and experience. The operator 24 can see when the corresponding shaft 16 is full. The operator 24 also sees when the lowest articles 13 are being compressed or squashed to an unacceptable extent by the articles 13 above them and can, in this case, modify the filling number 26 as needed, in particular by reducing it. The operator 24 can know from their experience at which stack height the corresponding stack 18 becomes unstable and, in the worst case, collapses, which can be taken into account when determining the shaft height H. The operator 24 can therefore determine the number of articles 13 (filling number 26) arbitrarily, as desired and freely. After the operator 24 has filled the respective shaft 16 with the (preferably pre-assigned) articles 13, they can position the marker 22 at the corresponding shaft height H, which indicates a stack height of the topmost article 13 of the corresponding stack 18. In this sense, the fill count 26 is shaft- and article-specific. The (shaft- and article-specific) fill count 26 corresponds to the respective article-specific shaft height H. The fill count 26 corresponds to the shaft- and article-specific target stock. The picking machine 12 further comprises a control device 28, which is preferably implemented in a decentralized manner. With a decentralized implementation of the control device 28, parts of the control device 28 can be located at the picking machine 12, and other parts of the control device 28 can be located elsewhere, such as in a (higher-level) warehouse management computer. The control device 28 is preferably a data processing device or a computer that is configured to To execute functions in the form of programs, as described in more detail below. The control device 28 can, for example, comprise a processing circuit and at least one non-volatile and / or volatile (data) memory. The programs can be stored in the memory for reading by the processing circuit. The order-picking machine 12 further comprises a communication unit 30, which includes an input unit 32 into which the operator 24 enters information, such as the shaft- and article-specific fill count 26, and which is connected to the control device 28. Furthermore, the communication unit 30 can have an output unit 34. The communication unit 30 is configured for data exchange with the control device 28. The communication unit 30 can be implemented by a mobile data terminal that the operator 24 can carry with them. The communication unit 30 can be a tablet computer. The input unit 32 can be a (virtual) keyboard, a barcode scanner, a mouse, a microphone, or a combination thereof. The output unit 34 can be a screen, headphones, or the like. The operator 24 can therefore enter the filling number 26 into the input unit 32 to communicate the filling number 26 to the control device 28. The operator 24 can also use the input unit 32 to confirm the successful completion of a (re-)filling process to the control device 28, as will be explained in more detail below. It should be noted that a single communication unit 30 may be sufficient to exchange information between the operator 24 and the control device 28. In other words, this means that not every shaft 16 needs to be equipped with its own control unit so that the operator 24 knows what to do to reliably maintain the operation of the order-picking machine 12. This particularly applies to the refilling process of the shafts 16 that are empty or that will be empty in the near future. In these cases, the operator 24 should be reliably and safely informed as to which of the shafts 16 should be refilled (in a timely manner and, in particular, first). In some cases, the operator 24 must also be informed as to which of the items 13 should be refilled in the specific shaft 16 and where this item 13 can be found in the (replenishment) warehouse or shelf (not illustrated). Typically the replenishment racks are arranged directly opposite (in the Z direction) to the shafts 16, so that an aisle or lane (not shown) can be defined between the order picking machine 12 and the replenishment racks, which extends essentially in the longitudinal direction X. The control device 28 is thus configured to receive and store the shaft- and article-specific fill count 26. This means that for each of the shafts 16, a unique and individually determined number of a specific article 13, which is assigned precisely to this shaft 16, is received and stored by the control device 28. The control device 28 is further configured to determine and store a shaft-specific actual inventory 46 (see Fig. 3) for each of the shafts 16, which corresponds to a number of articles 13 currently stored in the respective shaft 16, e.g., based on counting the number of articles 13 already ejected. Counting can occur in real time. Counting can be based on ejection signals, as will be explained in more detail below. The actual inventory 46 can be updated by overwriting a previously stored (counter) value with a current value. The order-picking machine 12 may further comprise a conveyor 36. The conveyor 36 may be implemented, for example, by a belt conveyor, as shown in Fig. 2, or a roller conveyor. Other conveyor types are possible. If a belt conveyor is used, the articles 13 can be ejected directly onto the belt, with the articles 13 belonging to the same picking order being dropped into the same (virtual) window to collect the articles 13 of the order there. If a roller conveyor is used, the articles 13 can be ejected directly into order containers positionable on the rollers. The conveyor 36 can be positioned in a lower region of the A-frame 14. In particular, the conveyor 36 runs centrally through the two legs, which are essentially formed by the shafts 16, of the A-shaped frame of the A-frame 14. In addition, the order picking machine 12 can have a "put-to-light" display 38 (see Fig. 2) which clearly and visually indicates to the operator 24 a target refill location, i.e., an empty shaft 16 that is to be refilled. The "put-to-light" display 38 can be implemented by a light strip 40 which, for example, is formed from a plurality of individually controllable LED elements. The light strip 40 is preferably arranged in the immediate vicinity of the shafts 16. The light strip 40 of Fig. 2 extends, for example, substantially along the X-direction between the lower row 20-1 and the upper row 20-2. The light strip 40 can be formed from so many LED elements that each of the shafts 16 is assigned a visually clearly identifiable set of LED elements, so that each of the shafts 16 can be clearly marked by light. In this way, a shaft 16 to be filled can be clearly marked by means of light.To clearly distinguish between the lower row 20-1 and the upper row 20-2, the light strip 40 could be operated with different colors, with each of the rows 20-1 and 20-2 being uniquely assigned one of the colors. It goes without saying that in this case, the shafts 16 of the upper and lower rows 20-1 and 20-2 should be arranged symmetrically to each other. It is understood that instead of a (single) central light strip 40, several individual light sources can also be used to identify the shafts 16 to be filled, which in this case are preferably provided for each of the shafts 16. Furthermore, it is alternatively possible to indicate the shaft 16 to be filled (only) via the output unit 34 of the (single) communication unit 30, e.g., also via voice. With regard to the structural design of the A-frame 14, in particular with regard to the design of the shafts (“storage magazines”) 16 including the respective ejectors (“dispensing devices”) 21, the conveyor (“conveying device”) 36 and the frame (“supporting frame including uprights”), reference is made to EP 1 737 766 B1, with the exception of the “operating units” and the movable “detection device” described therein, which are not required in the present case. Fig. 3 shows a data structure in the form of a table 42, which includes information that may be required for operation of the order picking device 10. The table 42 includes at least information on shaft identifiers 44, information on the article types 19, information on the fill quantities 26 and information on the actual stocks 46. The table 42 can also include information on required quantities 48, information on minimum stocks 50 and / or other attributes 52 (e.g. information on a handling priority, the geometry of the article, etc.). For example, the first column of Table 42 contains shaft numbers ("Shaft #") as individualizing identifiers for shafts 16. The shafts 16 in the first three rows 54-1 to 54-3 of Table 42 are assigned the numbers "1" to "3" as examples. Additionally, information on the physical location as well as (logical) addresses, such as IP addresses, could also be stored there; this information can also be stored in the other attribute(s) 52. The first three lines 54-1 to 54-3 of Table 42 of Fig. 2 will be examined in more detail below. For example, ear drops are assigned to the first slot #1 as article type 19. The first slot #1 must (always) be filled with 35 ear drops, which is expressed in the corresponding fill quantity of 26. The actual stock is 17. This means that of the initial 35 ear drops, only 17 are currently stored in the corresponding slot 16, because 18 have already been ejected, which the control device 28 can count. For example, the second tray #2 is assigned to tablets as article type 19. The second tray #2 must (always) be filled with 23 tablets, which is expressed in the corresponding fill quantity of 26. The actual stock is five. For example, quarterly packs of lentils are assigned to the third tray #3 as item type 19. The third tray #3 must (always) be filled with ten quarterly packs of lentils, which is expressed by the corresponding fill quantity of 26. The actual stock is two. In table 42, a unique link between each of the shafts 16 and the article types 19 can be stored. Table 42 is used by the control device 28 managed and updated. Each of the shafts 16 is uniquely assigned one of the article types 19. It is understood that the same article type 19 can be assigned to several of the shafts 16. In general, the shafts 16 are filled with specific items. Each shaft 16 is also uniquely assigned a specific fill quantity 26. The assignment is made by the operator 24, as will be explained in more detail below, by positioning the markings 22, particularly for specific shafts and items. Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of a method 100 that illustrates an initial configuration of an order-picking machine 12, as shown by way of example in Figures 1 and 2. Using the method 100, Table 42 of Fig. 3 can be created, ie, filled with information and / or completed. In step S10, one of the shafts 16 is selected to be processed and, in particular, to which no article-specific fill count 26 has yet been assigned. This selection can be made computer-assisted or by the operator 24. The shaft 16 is processed by assigning it at least the article-specific fill count 26 (step S12), provided the article type 19 has already been selected and stored. Otherwise, the article type 19 can also be selected and assigned to this shaft 16 (step S11). This selection can be made computer-assisted or by the operator 24. As soon as the corresponding article type 19 is assigned to the shaft 16, which is reflected in the first two data fields of a row of table 42 in Fig. 3 being filled, the operator 24 can select a shaft- and article-specific filling quantity 26 (step S12). In other words, this means that the operator 24 determines how many of the articles 13 of the assigned article type 19 are to be (repeatedly) filled into the corresponding shaft 16 or were initially filled. In the example in Fig. 3, the first shaft #1 is to be filled with thirty-five ear drops. The filling quantity 26 can be selected theoretically or practically. Once the fill count 26 is practically selected, the corresponding shaft 16 can be filled with a specific number of the corresponding articles 13 (step S14). Preferably, the shaft 16 is completely empty before the initial filling. The operator 24 then determines the number (fill count 26) of articles 13 that they have placed into the shaft 16. To determine this number, the operator 24 can count the filled articles 13. Alternatively, an image of the filled shaft 16 could be captured and sent to the control device 28 to automatically determine the fill count 26, for example, using image recognition and image processing. The operator 24 preferably fills as many articles 13 as possible into the shaft 16. In particular, the operator 24 fills the shaft 16 to its maximum capacity. However, this is not always possible. The higher the stack 18 becomes within the shaft 16, the greater the total weight acting on the bottommost article 13. In this case, the lower articles 13 are increasingly compressed, so that the total height of the stack 18 is significantly smaller than the mathematically achievable height of the stack 18, which results from the article master data, in particular from the height of an individual article 13. The article master data can be disregarded when determining and selecting the fill quantity 26. In other words, this means that the article master data does not have to be stored. A selection of the fill quantity 26 based on the master data represents a theoretical selection. In a step S16, the operator 24 can position the corresponding shaft 16 at the height of the topmost article 13 of the corresponding stack 18 in order to visually illustrate the shaft height H. The operator 24 can, for example, attach an adhesive strip to one of the side walls or the rear wall of the corresponding shaft 16. Alternatively, the operator 24 can attach a clamp, a magnet, or something similar to the shaft 16 or draw a line on one of the shaft walls. The marking 22 signals to the operator 24, when the shaft 16 is later refilled, how many articles 13 need to be refilled—or up to which shaft height H. The marking 22 could be integrated into the shaft 16 in the form of an LED strip, with the operator 24 selecting a corresponding LED element at the shaft height H to position the marking 22 accordingly. Alternatively, the marking could also be implemented virtually, for example bywith the communication unit (display) 30 below. The marking 22 can also be simply implemented using augmented reality. In theory, the marking 22 can also be implemented simply by the table entry for the filling quantity 26 itself. In this case, however, the operator 24 would have to count the refilled items 13 during each refill process, which is time-consuming and unreliable because the operator 24 is under considerable time pressure due to the large number of shafts 16 that must be served. The thus selected (and optionally determined) filling number 26 is communicated by the operator 24 to the control device 28 (step S18). The operator 24 can, for example, enter the filling number 26 (number of pieces) into the communication unit 30, which transmits this filling number 26 to the control device 28 for storage in the table 42. In this case, the control device 28 is in a configuration mode. If additional shafts 16 are available to which additional article types 19 are to be assigned or have already been assigned, but the corresponding fill count 26 is missing, a corresponding query can be performed in step S20. In step S20, it can be queried whether each shaft 16 is linked to an article-specific fill count 26. If the query in step S20 reveals that not every shaft 16 is yet associated with a fill count of 26 (No in step S20), the process described above is repeated starting from step S10. If the query in step S20 reveals that each shaft 16 (to be configured) is already assigned a fill count of 26 (Yes in step S20), the method 100 ends. It is understood that the sequence of steps of method 100 is not limited to the sequence shown in Fig. 4. In particular, steps S16 (positioning the marker 22) and S18 (communicating the filling number 26) can be interchanged. Also, the marker 22 can first be positioned at a specific shaft height H in order to subsequently fill the shaft 16 and the corresponding Filling number 26 to be determined (step S14), whereby the position of the marking 22 may need to be readjusted in this case. Although the use of a physical marker 22 is described above, it is understood that other types of markers 22 are also possible. For example, it is possible for at least one of the side walls of the shafts 16 to be provided with an LED column, wherein the LED elements of the column are switchable to signal a selected shaft height H to the control device 28 by actuating the corresponding LED element and later also to illuminate this to indicate to the operator 24 the height to which the corresponding shaft 16 is to be filled with the articles 13. Fig. 5 shows a flowchart of a method 200 for operating a picking device 10, in particular a picking machine 12 according to Figures 1 and 2. In a step 202, the operator 24 can perform a visual inspection of the shaft-specific current fill levels (actual stocks 46). The operator 24 can walk along the shafts 16 to visually inspect the shafts 16. In a method step 204, the operator 24 can check (in particular visually) whether one of the shafts 16 is empty or about to become empty, in which case, for example, there are usually only very few articles 13 left in the shaft 16. It is understood that several of the shafts 16 can also be visually inspected simultaneously. If none of the shafts 16 is empty or is close to being empty (No in step 204), the check can be continued according to step 202. Otherwise (Yes in step 204), the operator 24 fills the corresponding shaft 26 up to the mark 22 at the shaft and article-specific shaft height H with the corresponding articles 13 (step 206). It is understood that refilling can take place at any time, even preventively. In principle, any of the shafts 16 that deviates from the target stock, especially without further knowledge of, for example, a maximum permissible compression or the like, can always be refilled. Especially during operating phases of a low utilization can be refilled or, for example, if a neighboring shaft 16 has to be refilled anyway due to a filling order. The correct filling of the corresponding shaft 16 up to the marking 22 can be queried or checked in a step 208. The check can be performed manually by the operator 24. The check can be performed computer-aided, for example, by evaluating a camera image using image processing. If the shaft-specific filling number 26 has not yet been reached (No in step 208), filling continues according to step 206. Otherwise (Yes in step 208), the operator 24 can acknowledge the prescribed filling (step 210). The corresponding regulation can be: filling must always be carried out up to the marking 22. The acknowledgment can be made using the communication unit 30 by the operator 24 transmitting corresponding information to the control device 28 via the input unit 32. The control device 28 resets the corresponding actual stock 46 to the target stock or to the fill count 26 in a step 212 by updating the table 42 accordingly. The method 200 can then continue with step 202 or end. The method 200 can also end after step 208. Fig. 6 illustrates a method 300 for the demand-oriented filling of a picking device 10, in particular a picking machine 12 according to Figures 1 and 2. Fig. 6A shows a sequence of the method 300. Fig. 6B shows optional method steps of the method 300. In a step 302, a picking order is analyzed according to article type. Each picking order consists of at least one order line. Each order line defines a desired quantity (number) of an article 13 of the same article type 19. The analysis of step 302 thus results in information about the article-specific required quantity(s) 48 (see Fig. 3). By way of example, the following assumes a single picking order that contains, for example, three order lines, with the first order line specifying a requirement of, for example, nineteen pieces. ear drops (compare line 54-1 in Fig. 3), whereby the second order line defines a requirement of, for example, four tablets (compare line 54-2 in Fig. 3) and whereby the third order line defines a requirement of, for example, one quarterly pack of lenses (compare line 54-3 in Fig. 3). Based on the analysis of step 302, the item-specific required quantity 48 can be determined (step 304), as illustrated in the first three lines 54-1 to 54-3. Steps 302 and 304 can be performed by the control device 28. In a step 306, the control device 28 can generate a shaft-specific ejection signal. For this purpose, the control device 28 can access the table 42 to send the ejection signal to the correct shaft 16 or its ejector 21 based on the shaft identifier 44. If the required quantity 48 indicates a quantity greater than one, the ejection signal can contain the corresponding information or be sent a corresponding number of times. The ejection signal can be used to count the corresponding ejections in order to automatically determine the actual stock 46, as will be explained in more detail below. The control device 28 thus causes the ejection of a corresponding number of articles (step 308), i.e., the (article-specific) required quantity 48. The (article-specific) actual inventory 46 is updated accordingly by the control device 28 (step 310). If the picking order includes more than one different article type 19, a query can be made in a step 312 as to whether all article types 19 of the picking order have been ejected in a corresponding number. If not all article types 19 have been ejected (No in step 312), the method 300 can be repeated from step 306. Otherwise (Yes in step 312), a query can be made in a step 314 as to whether a new or further picking orders exist. If no further picking orders exist, the method ends. 300. Otherwise (yes in step 314) return to step 302 where the subsequent steps are repeated. It is understood that in step 302, several picking orders can also be analyzed simultaneously in order to subsequently process the corresponding number of picking orders in parallel, so that the query in step 314 is unnecessary. With reference to Fig. 6B, an optional embodiment of the transition between steps 304 and 306 of Fig. 6A will be described below. In step 304, the control device 28 determines the article-specific required quantity 48 based on the picking order(s), which were analyzed for this purpose with regard to the article types 19 contained therein. After the article-specific required quantity(s) 48 have been determined, a comparison of the required quantity(s) 48 with the (article-specific) actual stocks 46 can be carried out by the control device 28 in a step 402. In a query 404, the respective actual stock 46 can be compared with the corresponding required quantity 48 by the control device 28. In particular, a query can be made as to whether the respective actual stock 46 is smaller than the corresponding required quantity 48. If the actual stock 46 is greater than the corresponding required quantity 48 (No in step 404), the method 300 can continue in step 306 in Fig. 6A. In this case, sufficient articles 13 of the corresponding article type 19 are available to process (by ejecting) the picking order, i.e., stored in the corresponding shaft 16. In the example of table 42 in Fig. 3, this condition is met for the second and third rows 54-2 and 54-3. If the actual stock 46 is less than the corresponding required quantity 48 (Yes in step 404), the control device 28 can generate one or more corresponding refill orders in a step 406 and issue them to the operator 24. Such a condition is given for the first row 54-1 of table 42 in Fig. 3. The actual stock 46 of ear drops is seventeen. The required quantity 48 of ear drops is nineteen. Therefore, two ear drops are missing to fulfill the corresponding picking order. In this case, a corresponding refill order is generated and issued to operator 24. This refill order specifies at least that the item type "ear drops" is to be refilled. This refill order may further include the corresponding shaft identifier 44 to enable the operator 24 to more easily locate the corresponding shaft 16. Preferably, this refill order may also include appropriate navigation instructions for the operator 24. Optionally, a replenishment storage location for the item 13 to be refilled may also be specified in the refill order. It is understood that, in general, each of the refill orders may include such information. It should be noted, however, that the filling order does not need to contain a specific number of items 13 to be refilled. In the example of the first line 54-1, the number of items 13 to be refilled is eighteen. This information does not need to be included in the filling order, however, because the operator 24 simply fills the corresponding shaft 16 up to the marking 22 provided there. The operator 24 does not care how many items need to be refilled because the shaft-specific marking 22 visually indicates this to them. The operator 24 does not have to think. Refilling is extremely simple for the operator 24. Filling up to the shaft-specific marking 22 takes place in a step 408. The operator 24 can then acknowledge the filling to the control device 28 via the communication unit 30 (step 410, compare step 210 in Fig. 5). Acknowledging the completion is sufficient. In a step 412, after acknowledgment, the actual inventory 46 can be reset to the target inventory 26 (automatically) by the control device 28 (see step 212 in Fig. 5). The method can then continue in step 306 of Fig. 6A. Alternatively, the generation of the filling order can also be triggered by other events. This is described below using lines 54-2 and 54-3 of Table 42 in Fig. 3 as an example. Although in both lines 54-2 and 54-3 the respective actual stock 46 is sufficient to provide the corresponding required quantity 48, a filling order can still be generated for line 54-2, for example, but not for line 54-3. This decision can be made based on an optional data field of each line 54 that represents a minimum stock 50. For line 54-2, the minimum stock 50 is two. Therefore, if four ear drops are ejected from an actual stock 46 of five ear drops, the corresponding minimum stock 50 would be undercut by one piece, which may result in the corresponding shaft 16 still having to be refilled. The minimum stock 50 can be determined based on the experience of the operator 24. Experience may show, for example, that one piece of ear drops in the corresponding shaft 16 is no longer sufficient to reliably operate the ejector 21.Experience has shown, for example, that reliable operation requires a minimum load of at least two pieces, which is reflected in a corresponding minimum stock of 50. Since the lenses of line 54-3 (geometrically) are relatively large and heavy, one pack of lenses may be sufficient for safe ejection. Next, hardware configurations of the controller 28 according to the embodiments described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first exemplary configuration of hardware that implements each function of the controller 28 according to the embodiments. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a second exemplary configuration of hardware that implements each function of the controller 28 according to the embodiments. It should be noted that each function of the controller 28 refers to each of the functions of the chutes 16 with the ejectors 21, the markers 22, the communication unit 30 with the input unit 32 and / or output unit 34, the conveyor 36, the put-to-light display 38, and / or the like, which are controlled by the controller 28. Each of the functions of the shafts 16 with the ejectors 21, the markers 22, the communication unit 30 with the input unit 32 and / or output unit 34, the conveyor 36 and / or the put-to-light display 38 could be implemented using a Processing circuitry can be implemented. In FIG. 7, the controller 28 has been replaced by a dedicated processing circuit 54. In this case, where dedicated hardware is used, the dedicated processing circuit 54 may be a single circuit, a composite circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a combination thereof, as appropriate. The functions of the controller 28, the chutes 16 with the ejectors 21, the markers 22, the communication unit 30 with the input unit 32 and / or output unit 34, the conveyor 36, and the put-to-light display 38 could each be implemented by a processing circuit, or they could be implemented collectively by a processing circuit.

[0096] Furthermore, in FIG. 8, the controller 28 has been replaced by a processor 56 and a memory device 58. The processor 56 could be an arithmetic means, such as an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a central processing unit (CPU), or a digital signal processor (DSP). Furthermore, examples of the memory device 58 include non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memories, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), and electrically programmable read-only memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)). In a case where the processor 56 and the storage device 58 are used, each of the functions of the control device 28 is implemented by software, firmware, or a combination thereof. The software or firmware is written as a program and stored in the storage device 58. The processor 56 reads and executes such programs stored in the storage device 58. These programs can cause a computer to execute procedures and methods for the respective functions of the control device 28, the chutes 16 with the ejectors 21, the markers 22, the communication unit 30 with the input unit 32 and / or output unit 34, the conveyor 36, and / or the put-to-light display 38. For example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory, such as a ROM, a EPROM or EEPROM, a floppy disk, an optical disk, a compact disk or a DVD. Some of the functions of the control device 28, the chutes 16 with the ejectors 21, the markers 22, the communication unit 30 with the input unit 32 and / or output unit 34, the conveyor 36, and / or the put-to-light display 38 could be implemented by hardware, and other functions thereof could be implemented by software or firmware. For example, the functions of the ejectors 21 could be implemented using dedicated hardware, and the functions of the put-to-light display 38 could be implemented using the processor 56 and the memory device 58. The configurations illustrated in the above embodiments show examples, and it is possible to combine the configurations with another known method or to combine the embodiments with each other, and it is also possible to partially omit or change the configurations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. List of reference symbols: 10 Order picking device 12 picking machines 13 articles 14 A-Frame 16 shaft 18 (article) stacks 19 article types 20 rows of 18 21 ejectors 22 Marking H (item-specific) shaft height 24 operators 26 filling number 28 Control device 30 Communication unit 32 input unit 34 Output unit 36 ​​Conveyor 38 Put-to-Light indicator 40 light strip 42 Table / Data Structure 44 Shaft identifier 46 Actual inventory 48 Required quantity 50 minimum stock 52 (further) attribute 54 Processing circuit 56 Processor 58 Storage device

Claims

Patent claims 1. A picking device (10) for the automated picking of articles (13) of different article types (19) according to at least one picking order, comprising: a plurality of shafts (16), each of which is configured to store a stack (18) of articles (13) of a single article type and to eject the respectively stored articles (13); a plurality of markings (22), wherein one of the markings (22) on each of the shafts (16) can be positioned at an article-specific shaft height (H) that can be selected by an operator (24); a control device (28); and a communication unit (30) comprising an input unit (32) into which the operator (24) enters information and which is connected to the control device (28);wherein the control device (28) is configured to receive and store a shaft- and article-specific fill count (26), wherein the fill count (26): is selected for each of the shafts (16) in an article-specific manner by the operator (24) and entered into the communication unit (30); corresponds to the respective article-specific shaft height (H); and corresponds to a shaft- and article-specific target stock; and for each of the shafts (16) to determine and store a shaft-specific actual stock (46), which corresponds to a number of articles (13) currently stored in the respective shaft (16), based on counting a number of articles (13) already ejected; 2. Order-picking device (10) according to claim 1, which further comprises an input unit (32), wherein the operator (24) enters the shaft-specific filling number (26) into the communication unit (30) which is configured for data exchange with the control device (28) and which is preferably a mobile, portable data terminal.

3. Order-picking device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device (28) is further configured to update the actual stock to the target stock as soon as an acknowledgment signal is received, in particular from the communication unit (30), which indicates that the corresponding shaft (16) is filled, wherein the shafts (16) must always be filled during filling, in particular up to the article-specific shaft height (H), with a corresponding number of articles (13) of the shaft-specific article type (19).

4. Order picking device (10) according to one of claims 1-3, wherein the actual stock is a difference between the target stock and the number of articles (13) already ejected.

5. Order-picking device (10) according to one of claims 1-4, wherein the control device (28) is further configured to generate a shaft-specific filling order based on a comparison between a required quantity (48) and the actual stocks (46), and in particular to transmit it to the operator (24), wherein the required quantity (48) is determined by an evaluation of a number of order-picking orders.

6. Order-picking device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the shaft-specific filling order is generated when the actual stock (46) of the corresponding shaft (16) is less than a number of articles (13) required to process the order(s).

7. Order-picking device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a shaft-specific filling order comprises a priority attribute (52) which indicates a position within a filling sequence of several of the shafts (16) which are empty and / or which are in danger of running empty.

8. Order picking device (10) according to one of claims 1-7, further comprising a light band (40) arranged along the shafts (16) and which is arranged to illuminate each of the shafts (16) in an individual and distinguishable manner.

9. Order picking device (10) according to claim 8, wherein the control device (28) is connected to the light strip (40) and is further configured to cause individualizing and distinguishable lighting of one or more of the shafts (16).

10. Order picking device (10) according to one of claims 1-9, wherein each of the shafts (16) has an ejector (21).

11. Order-picking device (10) according to one of claims 1-10, wherein each of the shaft-specific actual stocks (46) is determined sensorlessly by the control device (28).

12. Order picking device (10) according to one of claims 1-11, which is an automatic order picking machine (12), in particular an A-frame (14).

13. Order-picking device (10) according to one of claims 1-12, wherein the shaft-specific actual stocks (46) are determined independently of article master data which specify dimensions and / or geometries of the respective article types (19).

14. Method (100) for operating a picking device (10), which is designed in particular according to one of claims 1-13, comprising the steps: Selecting (S10) a shaft (16) from a plurality of shafts (16), and preferably selecting (S11) and linking an article type (19) to be linked to the selected shaft (16); Selecting (S12) a shaft- and article-specific filling number (26), in particular by an operator (24); Positioning (S16) a marker (22) at a corresponding shaft height (H) of the selected shaft (16) corresponding to the selected filling number (26); and Communicating (S18) the selected filling number (26) to a control device (28) of the order picking device (10).

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: filling (206) the selected bay (16) with articles (13) of the linked article type (19) exactly up to the mark (22) whenever the selected bay (16) is to be filled; Acknowledgment (210) of filling; and Resetting (212), by the control device (28), an actual stock (46) by a target stock (26) which corresponds to the shaft and article-specific Filling number (26) when a corresponding acknowledgement signal is received.

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