Patent ID: 7667743

Claim:
A recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit which records image data obtained by an image pickup operation; a drop sensor which detects gravity, and outputs a signal indicating detection of a drop when the gravity is close to zero gravity, and a signal indicating non-detection of a drop when the gravity is normal; a determination unit which determines that the apparatus is dropping, when the drop sensor indicates continuous detection of a drop for a first predetermined period, and that the apparatus is not dropping, when the drop sensor indicates continuous non-detection of a drop for a second predetermined period; and an access control unit which forbids access to the recording unit for recording or reading when the apparatus is determined by the determination unit to be dropping, and allows the access when the apparatus is determined not to be dropping, wherein when, after the drop sensor indicates non-detection of a drop and before the second predetermined period of time has elapsed, the drop sensor indicates detection of a drop and indicates, immediately after that, non-detection of a drop again, the determination unit determines, before a state indicating the non-detection of a drop again continues for the second predetermined period of time, that the apparatus is not dropping.