example

looper.js

/* usage
 if (!$.looper.is_running()) {
  $.looper.initialize({
    action: function() {
      $('#notification-marker')
              .animate({opacity: 1}, 800)
              .animate({opacity: 0}, 800);
    },
    timeout: 1600
  });
}
*/


(function($) {
  var running = false;
  var settings = null;

  var defaults = {
    action: null,
    timeout: null,
    on_start: null,
    on_stop: null
  };

  var initialize = function(options) {
    settings = $.extend(defaults, options);
    return this;
  };
  var start = function() {
    running = true;
    run();
  };
  var stop = function() {
    running = false;
  };
  var run = function() {
    if (running) {
      settings.action();
      setTimeout(run, settings.timeout);
    }
  };
  var is_running = function() { return running; };
  $.looper = {
    initialize: initialize,
    start: start, stop: stop, is_running: is_running
  };
})(jQuery);