Postponing an instant messaging session

1. A method, performed in at least one computer system, of operating an instant messaging application comprising:

running a current instant messaging dialogue session across a plurality of participant devices;

responsive to receiving a postponement signal from a participant device during the current instant messaging dialogue session, said computer system determining a future restart time and future participant devices, terminating the current instant messaging dialogue session, and initiating a new instant messaging dialogue session at the restart time for the future participant devices;

responsive to receipt of the postponement signal from a participant device, storing a conversation file comprising the instant messaging dialogue session; and

following initiation of the new instant messaging dialogue session at the restart time, displaying the conversation file at respective future participant devices of the new instant messaging dialogue session.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of determining the restart time comprises accessing a calendar application of at least one participant device and accordingly scheduling a future restart time.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of determining the restart time comprises receiving scheduling data from at least one participant device and accordingly scheduling a future restart time.

4. The method according to claim 1 , and further comprising inserting a calendar entry into a calendar application of at least one future participant device, the calendar entry comprising the scheduled future restart time.

5. The method according to claim 1 , and further comprising, prior to initiation of the new instant messaging dialogue session at the restart time, receiving rescheduling data from at least one future participant device and accordingly rescheduling a new future restart time.

6. The method according to claim 1 , and further comprising, prior to initiation of the new instant messaging dialogue session at the restart time, transmitting a reminder signal to each future participant device.

7. The method according to claim 1 , and further comprising, immediately prior to initiation of the new instant messaging dialogue session at the restart time, determining whether each future participant device is connected to the instant messaging application, and if not, rescheduling a new future restart time.

8. A system for operating an instant messaging application comprising:

an instant messaging server, comprising at least one processor, running a current instant messaging dialogue session across a plurality of participant devices, the instant messaging server arranged, responsive to receipt of a postponement signal from a participant device during the current instant messaging dialogue session, to determine a future restart time and future participant devices, to terminate the current instant messaging dialogue session, and to initiate a new instant messaging dialogue session at the restart time for the future participant devices,

wherein the instant messaging server is arranged, responsive to receipt of the postponement signal from a participant device, to store a conversation file comprising the instant messaging dialogue session, and

wherein the instant messaging server is arranged, following initiation of the new instant messaging dialogue session at the restart time, to display the conversation file at respective future participant devices of the new instant messaging dialogue session.

9. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the instant messaging server is arranged, when determining the restart time, to access a calendar application of at least one participant device and accordingly to schedule a future restart time.

10. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the instant messaging server is arranged, when determining the restart time, to receive scheduling data from at least one participant device and accordingly to schedule a future restart time.

11. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the instant messaging server is further arranged to insert a calendar entry into a calendar application of at least one future participant device, the calendar entry comprising the scheduled future restart time.

12. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the instant messaging server is further arranged, prior to initiation of the new instant messaging dialogue session at the restart time, to receive rescheduling data from at least one future participant device and accordingly to reschedule a new future restart time.

13. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the instant messaging server is further arranged, prior to initiation of the new instant messaging dialogue session at the restart time, to transmit a reminder signal to each future participant device.

14. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the instant messaging server is further arranged, immediately prior to initiation of the new instant messaging dialogue session at the restart time, to determine whether each future participant device is connected to the instant messaging application, and if not, to reschedule a new future restart time.

15. A computer program product embodied in a computer readable storage medium comprising instructions which when executed implement an instant messaging application, the instructions comprising:

instructions for running a current instant messaging dialogue session across a plurality of participant devices;

instructions for receiving a postponement signal from a participant device during the current instant messaging dialogue session;

instructions for, responsive to receiving the postponement signal during the current instant messaging dialogue session, determining a future restart time and future participant devices, terminating the current instant messaging dialogue session, and initiating a new instant messaging dialogue session at the restart time for the future participant devices;

instructions for, responsive to receipt of the postponement signal from a participant device, storing a conversation file comprising the instant messaging dialogue session; and

instructions for, following initiation of the new instant messaging dialogue session at the restart time, displaying the conversation file at respective future participant devices of the new instant messaging dialogue session.

16. The computer program product according to claim 15 , wherein the instruction for determining the restart time comprises instructions for accessing a calendar application of at least one participant device and accordingly scheduling a future restart time.

17. The computer program product according to claim 15 , wherein the instruction for determining the restart time comprises instructions for receiving scheduling data from at least one participant device and accordingly scheduling a future restart time.

18. The computer program product according to claim 15 , and further comprising an instruction for inserting a calendar entry into a calendar application of at least one future participant device, the calendar entry comprising the scheduled future restart time.

19. The computer program product according to claim 15 , and further comprising instructions for, prior to initiation of the new instant messaging dialogue session at the restart time, receiving rescheduling data from at least one future participant device and accordingly rescheduling a new future restart time.

20. The computer program product according to claim 15 , and further comprising instructions for, prior to initiation of the new instant messaging dialogue session at the restart time, transmitting a reminder signal to each future participant device.

21. The computer program product according to claim 15 , and further comprising instructions for, immediately prior to initiation of the new instant messaging dialogue session at the restart time, determining whether each future participant device is connected to the instant messaging application, and if not, rescheduling a new future restart time.