Fix cv2.imread Network Image Bug

I have a Python application that relies on OpenCV (cv2) to pull images from a shared network drive. At the moment every call to cv2.imread() is returning None, and when I try to open the same file directly in Explorer it also fails. This points to an intermittent network-share problem rather than an imaging issue, so I need code-level handling that can recognise the disconnection, attempt to re-establish the link, and then retry the read before giving up.

Here’s what I need from you:
• Analyse the current loader module and identify why cv2.imread() fails when the network resource is unavailable.
• Add a lightweight reconnect routine (Windows “net use” or an equivalent cross-platform approach is fine) that runs automatically when an image path cannot be opened.
• After a successful reconnect, retry the load once; if it still fails, return a clear error so the rest of the pipeline can decide what to do.
• Supply the updated .py file(s), any helper script you introduce, and a short README outlining how to configure or extend the reconnection logic.

The app is built with Python 3.9 and OpenCV 4.x, so please keep your solution compatible with those versions. If you lean on extra libraries, stick to well-maintained packages available through PyPI.

Once the fix is in place I’ll test by unplugging and remapping the network drive; the program should self-heal, read the image, and continue processing without manual intervention.