Method for operating an internal combustion engine, and control or regulating device for an internal combustion engine

A control device for controlling operation of a direct-injection internal combustion engine having a plurality of pistons displaceable inside corresponding cylinders, into which cylinders fuel is injected directly, the method comprising:

• a determining arrangement configured to determine a standstill position of at least one piston inside a cylinder during a standstill of the internal combustion engine;
• a selection arrangement configured to initially select a cylinder as a starting cylinder into which fuel is injected first for a start following the standstill;
• a determining arrangement configured to determine an instantaneous charge of the starting cylinder as a function of a duration of the standstill of the internal combustion engine;
• a calculation arrangement configured to calculate a distance between the piston of the starting cylinder and a predetermined position of the piston;
• a determination arrangement configured to determine a minimum distance of the piston of the initially selected cylinder as a function of the instantaneous charge;
• and
• a selection arrangement configured to select another cylinder as the starting cylinder if the distance between the piston of the initially selected starting cylinder and the predetermined position is less than the minimum distance.