What is the nature of the idiom "ping me"?

Like many great technology terms, this term has morphed into a different spelling and meaning. Seen in email or text messages as "ping me when you get a chance" (not written in ALL CAPS like the acronym) it is used as slang for getting someone's attention. Another example is, "They've decided to fund the project, so make sure you ping Phil to get him on board." To "ping" someone means to send him or her an email or a text message. This new usage has lasting power and is commonly heard everyday in high-tech companies.