Patent ID: 7261509

Claim:
A method for operating a rack system with a rack and an associated rack serving device for the storage and retrieval of objects to or from the rack, the method comprising: providing the rack divided into at least two vertical rack regions arranged one above the other, with each rack region comprising a plurality of adjacent rack planes arranged one above the other, wherein each rack region is an independent and closed rack unit each with a height-movable and length-movable rack serving device dedicated to each rack region and mechanically coupled to each rack region; serving each rack region of the rack-with the respective rack serving device by moving objects with the respective serving device to locations in the respective rack region and retrieving objects from locations in the respective rack region; transporting objects from or to a level of the respective rack region by at least one of an elevator and an at least partially horizontal transport connection that reaches on the same level in the rack region of the rack unit from or to a transport system or workplace located outside the rack system; and storing the objects on an interim basis in an interim storage in each said rack region in a buffer zone arranged on the same level.