how can I stop ( readMechine)counter after 10sec or may earlier say 5 - Thx

Projects Programming
1

how I stop ( readMechine)counter after 10sec or may earlier say 5 sec. if no input .
Thanks

int machinePin = 3;    // input pin
int reading;      // the current reading from the input pin
int previous = LOW;    // the previous reading from the input pin
int readMechine=0; //number of times microsw was pressed
int ledPin=13;     // visual light
int audioPin = 12; // buzzer

long time = 0;    // the last time the output pin was toggled
long debounce = 200;   // the debounce time, increase if the output flickers
void setup()
{
  pinMode(machinePin, INPUT);
  pinMode(ledPin,OUTPUT);
  pinMode(audioPin, OUTPUT);
}
void loop()
{
  
  reading = digitalRead(machinePin);
 
  
  if (reading == HIGH && previous == LOW && millis() - time > debounce)  
{ 
    //increment count
    readMechine++;
   // ... and remember when the last button press was
    time = millis();    
  }
  previous = reading;
   if (readMechine==3)
 {    
   
   digitalWrite(ledPin,HIGH);
 } 
   if (readMechine==5)
 {  
   digitalWrite(audioPin,HIGH);
   
    readMechine=0; //reset count
   
 } 
}
2

Do a similar thing as you have here

if (reading == HIGH && previous == LOW && millis() - time > debounce)

as an outer loop around the whole thing.
Store the time when you want to start the inactivity time, set a flag in the inner part that stays clear (0) if nothing happened, or is set (1) if something did), then check if flag is clear and time elapsed.