Patent ID: 7752278

Claim:
A 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, 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 comprising a time period; creating an alarm message from the user input, wherein the alarm message defines a time period after which the user is able to participate in the event, wherein the instant messaging client is an instant messaging application, and wherein the alarm message is in a predetermined format; sending the alarm message as an instant message to users in the instant messaging chat session; responsive to receiving the alarm message at each instant messaging client participating in the instant messaging chat session, initiating a countdown of the time period defined by the user at each instant messaging client; and providing an alarm to the users in the instant messaging chat session upon expiration of the time period, wherein the alarm is one of a visual or audible alarm, and wherein the alarm reminds the users in the instant messaging chat session 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.