python - Reset User Prompt After Timeout -

i'm working on issue need execute following scenario:

i prompt user input screen (console window). when prompt displayed basic y/n question, need either a) accept user input response prompt , move on or b) wait preset time , reset prompt previous value, whichever comes first. think of kiosk needs reset if user walks off , you've got idea.

it seems logic (pseudo python below) adds time delay user input after sits there waiting on user reply rather giving on user after time , resetting.

userinput = input("prompt. y/n?") if userinput == "y":     move on elif userinput != "y":     time.sleep(dwell)     reset 

if user actively paying attention, i've got works should. but, have feeling hinging on "enter" key being pressed submit input, , don't know how force override input or have watchdog timeout , move along.

also, seems no user input accepted during sleep time. true?

if running on unix use "signal.alarm" function, otherwise use code windows:

import msvcrt import time  def raw_input_with_timeout(prompt, timeout=30.0):     print prompt,         finishat = time.time() + timeout     result = []     while true:         if msvcrt.kbhit():             result.append(msvcrt.getche())             if result[-1] == '\r':   # or \n, whatever win returns;-)                 return ''.join(result)             time.sleep(0.1)          # yield other processes/threads         else:             if time.time() > finishat:                 return none 

instead of returning "none" raise error or whatever want...