Image processing device, image processing method, and program including stable image estimation and main subject determination

An image processing method comprising:

• performing, by circuitry, a stable imaging state estimation process within a predetermined period of time for estimating whether or not a stable imaging state occurs;
• in response to estimating that a stable imaging state has occurred, performing, by the circuitry, a main subject determination process;
• and
• outputting, by the circuitry, a result of the main subject determination process in an event that the stable imaging state occurred, wherein the circuitry determines an operating state of an imaging device and selects the predetermined period of time used for the estimation of the stable imaging state in the stable imaging state estimation process from two or more predetermined periods of time corresponding to different operating states of the imaging device, based on the determined operating state of the imaging device, wherein the circuitry selects a first value of the predetermined period of time in response to determining that the operating state of the imaging device is within a first time period after transition to camera mode, wherein the circuitry selects a second value, different from the first value, of the predetermined period of time in response to determining that the operating state of the imaging device is after the first time period and prior to execution of an initial main subject determination process and wherein the circuitry performs the stable imaging state estimation process within the selected period of time.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processing device, perform an image processing method comprising:

• performing a stable imaging state estimation process within a predetermined period of time for estimating whether or not a stable imaging state occurs;
• in response to estimating that a stable imaging state has occurred, performing a main subject determination process;
• and
• outputting a result of the main subject determination process in an event that the stable imaging state occurred, wherein the circuitry determines an operating state of an imaging device and selects the predetermined period of time used for the estimation of the stable imaging state in the stable imaging state estimation process from two or more predetermined periods of time corresponding to different operating states of the imaging device, based on the determined operating state of the imaging device, wherein a first value of the predetermined period of time is selected in response to determining that the operating state of the imaging device is within a first time period after transition to camera mode, wherein a second value, different from the first value, of the predetermined period of time is selected in response to determining, that the operating state of the imaging device is after the first time period and prior to execution of an initial main subject determination process and wherein the stable imaging state estimation process is performed within the selected period of time.