US Patent 10212107 Methods and devices for controlling machines

Methods and devices for controlling machines are disclosed. A method for controlling machines is performed at an electronic device having one or more processors and memory. The method includes: providing a chat interface for a social network platform on the electronic device; providing a listing of social network contacts for a user account within the chat interface, the listing of social network contacts including at least a first contact that is a human user, and at least a second contact that is a machine; and establishing a chat session between the user account and the second contact which is the machine, wherein a chat message transmitted during the chat session causes the machine to perform a requested function of the machine.