<p>A stock control stand (10) mounted thereon with articles (11) and a stock control device (1) for controlling in-coming and out-going of the articles (11) which are placed on the stock control stand (10). The stock control device (1) comprises a planar matrix sensor (22) for detecting an article and a signal processing system for driving a matrix sensor (22) and for detecting an article (11) placed on a matrix sensor (22). A matrix sensor (22) is placed on the top surface of the stock control stand (10). <IMAGE></p>