Instant message method to provide a delayed alarm/reminder

1. A computer implemented method for providing a reminder of an event within a context of an instant messaging client, the computer implemented method comprising:

receiving an instant message at an instant messaging client application, wherein the instant message includes a request for a user to currently participate in an event;

if the user is currently unable to participate in the event, receiving input from the user to create an alarm message in the instant messaging client application, wherein the alarm message defines a time period after which the user is able to participate in the event, and wherein the alarm message is in a predetermined format defined by the user;

sending, by the instant messaging client application, the alarm message to all users in the instant messaging chat session; and

providing an alarm to the users in the instant messaging chat session upon expiration of the time period, wherein the alarm reminds the users to participate in the event, and wherein the alarm comprises a popup window that includes options allowing the participants to reset the time period defined by the user.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

responsive to receiving the alarm message, initiating a countdown of the time period at one of the instant messaging client or the instant messaging server, wherein the instant messaging server propagates messages to users upon expiration of the time period.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the alarm comprises at least one of a visual or audible alarm.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the alarm message includes a text message created by the user.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the alarm message is sent to one of all or selected participants in the instant messaging chat session.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the event is one of a meeting, conference, or on-line collaboration.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:

if one or more overlapping alarm messages are received at an instant messaging client, processing the one or more overlapping alarm messages in a same instant messaging chat instance.

8. A data processing system for providing a reminder of an event within a context of an instant messaging client, the data processing system comprising:

a bus;

a storage device connected to the bus, wherein the storage device contains computer usable code;

at least one managed device connected to the bus;

a communications unit connected to the bus; and

a processing unit connected to the bus, wherein the processing unit executes the computer usable code to receive an instant message at an instant messaging client application, wherein the instant message includes a request for a user to currently participate in an event, receive input from the user to create an alarm message in the instant messaging client application if the user is currently unable to participate in the event, wherein the alarm message defines a time period after which the user is able to participate in the event, and wherein the alarm message is in a predetermined format defined by the user, send the alarm message to all users in the instant messaging chat session, and provide an alarm to the users in the instant messaging chat session upon expiration of the time period, wherein the alarm reminds the users to participate in the event, and wherein the alarm comprises a popup window that includes options allowing the participants to reset the time period defined by the user.

9. The data processing system of claim 8 , wherein the processing unit further executes the computer usable code to initiate a countdown of the time period at one of the instant messaging client or the instant messaging server responsive to receiving the alarm message, wherein the instant messaging server propagates messages to users upon expiration of the time period.

10. The data processing system of claim 8 , wherein the alarm comprises at least one of a visual or audible alarm.

11. A computer program product for providing a reminder of an event within a context of an instant messaging client, the computer program product comprising:

a computer usable storage medium having computer usable program code stored thereon, the computer usable program code comprising:

computer usable program code for receiving an instant message at an instant messaging client application, wherein the instant message includes a request for a user to currently participate in an event;

computer usable program code for receiving input from the user to create an alarm message in the instant messaging client application if the user is currently unable to participate in the event, wherein the alarm message defines a time period after which the user is able to participate in the event, and wherein the alarm message is in a predetermined format defined by the user;

computer usable program code for sending the alarm message to &l users in the instant messaging chat session; and

computer usable program code for providing an alarm to the users in the instant messaging chat session upon expiration of the time period, wherein the alarm reminds the users to participate in the event, and wherein the alarm comprises a popup window that includes options allowing the participants to reset the time period defined by the user.

12. The computer program product of claim 11 , further comprising computer usable program code for initiating a countdown of the time period at one of the instant messaging client or the instant messaging server responsive to receiving the alarm message, wherein the instant messaging server propagates messages to users upon expiration of the time period.

13. The computer program product of claim 11 , wherein the alarm comprises at least one of a visual or audible alarm.

14. The computer program product of claim 11 , wherein the alarm message includes a text message created by the user.