A method for controlling a service cell, the service cell comprising at least one set of manipulating means for manipulating pieces and at least one control unit for controlling the manipulation of pieces, and at least one device to be served, the method comprising: - controlling the manipulation of at least one piece with the control unit, - receiving said at least one piece to be transferred to said at least one device to be served, by using said at least one set of manipulating means, - manipulating said at least one piece, characterized in that the method also comprises: - automatically determining first state data on the state of said service cell; - automatically selecting a first control symbol from at least two control symbols (480, 482, 484, 486, 488, 490, 492), on the basis of said first state data; - displaying said first control symbol to an operator on an active graphic element on a user interface, the control symbol corresponding to a first control command: - receiving said first control command from the operator as a selection of said active graphic element on said user interface; - controlling the manipulation of said at least one piece on the basis of the first control command; - automatically determining second state data on the state of said service cell; - automatically selecting a second control symbol from said at least two control symbols (480, 482, 484, 486, 488, 490, 492), on the basis of said second state data; - displaying said second control symbol to the operator on said active graphic element on said user interface, the control symbol corresponding to a second control command; - receiving said second control command from the operator as a selection of said active graphic element on said user interface; - controlling the manipulation of said at least one piece on the basis of the second control command; - thereby using the active graphic element in the same place for different functions, depending on the state of the service cell. - controlling the manipulation of at least one piece with the control unit, - receiving said at least one piece to be transferred to said at least one device to be served, by using said at least one set of manipulating means, - manipulating said at least one piece, - automatically determining first state data on the state of said service cell; - automatically selecting a first control symbol from at least two control symbols (480, 482, 484, 486, 488, 490, 492), on the basis of said first state data; - displaying said first control symbol to an operator on an active graphic element on a user interface, the control symbol corresponding to a first control command: - receiving said first control command from the operator as a selection of said active graphic element on said user interface; - controlling the manipulation of said at least one piece on the basis of the first control command; - automatically determining second state data on the state of said service cell; - automatically selecting a second control symbol from said at least two control symbols (480, 482, 484, 486, 488, 490, 492), on the basis of said second state data; - displaying said second control symbol to the operator on said active graphic element on said user interface, the control symbol corresponding to a second control command; - receiving said second control command from the operator as a selection of said active graphic element on said user interface; - controlling the manipulation of said at least one piece on the basis of the second control command; - thereby using the active graphic element in the same place for different functions, depending on the state of the service cell.