using matplotlib to continously show a series of images without closing current window

image_viewer.py

#  press any key like ESC to exit

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import matplotlib.patches as patches

import scipy.misc
import glob
import os
import sys

IMAGE_ROOT = "/path/to/images"

looping = True

# use any key like ESC etcetera to escape the loop
def press(event):
    global looping
    print 'pressed', event.key
    looping = False
    sys.exit('Exiting the program')

fig, ax = plt.subplots(1)
# register callback when key presses
fig.canvas.mpl_connect('key_press_event', press)

plt.ion()
for fname in glob.glob(IMAGE_ROOT+'/*'):
    img = scipy.misc.imread(os.path.join(IMAGE_ROOT, fname))
    plt.imshow(img)
    if not looping:
        break
    # setting non-blocking mode
    plt.show(block=False)
    # pause for 0.5 sec per image
    plt.pause(0.5)
    ax.cla()