Method and devices for device control via instant messaging

摘要

A communications system (10) may include a control device (20) having an instant message (IM) device contact (32) associated therewith. The communications system may also include a control gateway (40) having an IM gateway contact (41) associated therewith and may be configured to communicate with a controllable device (60) over a network (61). The control gateway may be configured to validate the IM device contact. The control device (20) may be configured to communicate with the controllable device (60) through the control gateway (40) after validation and based upon the IM device contact and the IM gateway contact.