JP2012090055A - Image processing device, image processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of an image processing device which in gradation correction of many image forming devices existing in a network, requires a method to reduce an operation load on a user in consideration of the situation of each device.SOLUTION: The image processing device is provided with reception means and control means. The reception means receives an instruction from another image processing device. When the instruction received by the reception means is printing out of a patch pattern for gradation correction, the control means prints out the patch pattern. When the instruction received by the reception means is waiting of printing out of the patch pattern for gradation correction, the control means controls a display device to display a screen for receiving an instruction to print out the patch pattern from a user.

Description

  The present invention selects a gradation correction method for each image forming apparatus when performing gradation correction for a large number of image forming apparatuses existing on the network, and performs gradation correction for the image forming apparatuses on the network all at once. The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus.

  Multifunction machines (hereinafter referred to as MFPs) and printers having copy, print, and facsimile functions are accelerating colorization in offices. The density characteristics of MFPs and printers vary depending on the usage frequency and usage environment. As a technique for improving the fluctuation, there is gradation correction. There are roughly two methods for creating gradation correction data. One is to output the gradation correction patch pattern from the MFP or printer, and read the gradation correction patch pattern on the paper using a reading device (for example, a scanner of the MFP or a commercially available densitometer) This is a method for creating gradation correction data. The other is a method of printing gradation correction patch patterns from an MFP or printer on a transfer belt inside the MFP or printer, reading them using an internal sensor, and creating gradation correction data.

  In the operation of creating gradation correction data, especially the method of creating gradation correction data by paper output, the user himself / herself must acquire the patch pattern output on the paper from the output destination and read the patch pattern into the reading device. This is a burden on the user. In Patent Document 1, another image forming apparatus connected via a network is displayed, and an image output apparatus for which gradation correction is desired can be arbitrarily selected. A technique and configuration for reducing the load by enabling output and reading of the tone correction patch pattern and creation of the tone correction table collectively are disclosed.

JP2000-253252A

  However, the prior art does not describe the operation method at the time of outputting the patch pattern and the handling of the patch pattern before and after the output of the patch pattern, and does not consider the problem of lowering the productivity and operability. For this reason, when there is another print instruction or the like at the time of outputting the patch pattern, the patch pattern and other printed matter are mixed, and it takes time to search for the patch pattern. Further, when tone correction is performed simultaneously on a plurality of image forming apparatuses, patch pattern recovery is lost, and it takes time to search for an image forming apparatus that has not yet output a patch pattern. In order to reduce the user load, it is necessary to solve such a problem.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a receiving unit that receives an instruction from another image processing apparatus, and when the instruction received by the receiving unit is a print output of a patch pattern for gradation correction, When a patch pattern is printed out and the instruction received by the receiving unit is waiting for a printout of a patch pattern for gradation correction, a screen for receiving an instruction to print out the patch pattern from the user is displayed. And an image processing apparatus characterized by having control means for controlling to display the image.

  According to the present invention, handling of patch patterns before and after patch pattern output including a patch pattern output instruction can be performed without any trouble. Specifically, the patch pattern can be output when the user arrives at the gradation forming target image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the trouble of searching for a patch pattern due to the mixture of output products described above, and it is possible to improve productivity and operability while reducing the user load.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an image processing system. It is a block diagram which shows a data processor. It is a block diagram which shows an input image process part. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing on the master machine side according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing on the slave machine side of the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a network automatic gradation correction process according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a network automatic gradation correction process according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a network automatic gradation correction process according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating automatic output timing control on the master machine side according to the fourth embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating automatic output timing control on the slave machine side according to the fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart relating to information display on a slave machine according to the fifth embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the printed output for gradation correction. It is a figure which shows an example at the time of giving QR Code to the printed matter for gradation correction. It is a figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen. It is a figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen. It is a figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen. It is a figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen. It is a figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen. It is a figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen. It is a figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen. It is a figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen. It is a figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen. It is a figure which shows an example displayed on UI screen. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus identification pattern used instead of a QR code.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image processing system according to this embodiment. The LAN 106 constructed in the office 10 is connected to MFPs 101 and 103 as composite image forming apparatuses, SFPs 102 and 104 as image forming apparatuses, and a PC 105.

  The MFP 101, which is a composite image forming apparatus, is a master machine that can collectively perform gradation correction of a plurality of MFPs and SFPs connected via this network. (Hereinafter, collectively performing gradation correction of a plurality of MFPs and SFPs connected on the network is expressed as network automatic gradation correction). In the present embodiment, the SFPs 102 and 104 are slave machines that are the targets of network automatic gradation correction. The composite image forming apparatus such as the MFP 103 may be a slave machine that is a target of network automatic gradation correction.

<Configuration of Data Processing Apparatus of Image Forming Apparatus>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a data processing apparatus installed in the MFP 101 and the SFPs 102 and 104. The data processing apparatus includes a receiving unit 200, an input image processing unit 201, a UI unit 202, an automatic gradation correction unit 203, a storage unit 204, and a transmission unit 205.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the input image processing unit 201 in FIG. The input image processing unit 201 includes a receiving unit 301, an image dividing unit 302, a QR code analyzing unit 303, a luminance density converting unit 304, and a transmitting unit 305.

<Network automatic gradation correction method>
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an image of a patch pattern for gradation correction printed out from the image forming apparatus. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for performing gradation correction. Each process of this flowchart is controlled by the automatic gradation correction unit 203 of the MFP 101 serving as the master machine.

  In step S <b> 601, the MFP 101 issues a gradation correction instruction to the SFPs 102 and 104 on the network registered for performing automatic network gradation correction. Details regarding registration of an image forming apparatus to be subjected to network automatic gradation correction will be described later. Details of operations for tone correction instructions and information exchange will be described later. Upon receipt of the instruction, the image forming apparatus (SFP 102, 104) prints the tone correction patch pattern 122 printed on each color (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) on paper. When printing, it is necessary to print by all types of image forming methods owned by the image forming apparatus. The user collects the output tone correction patch pattern from each image forming apparatus. The tone correction patch pattern collected by the user is arranged in the ADF installed in the scanner of the MFP 101. Of course, the user may arrange the tone correction patch pattern on the document table without using the ADF. After installing the tone correction patch pattern, the user issues a reading start instruction.

  In step S <b> 602, the automatic tone correction unit 203 of the MFP 101 causes the scanner to start scanning via the transmission unit 205 of the MFP 101. The receiving unit 301 of the input image processing unit 201 of the MFP 101 receives the gradation correction patch pattern read by scanning.

  In step S <b> 603, the luminance density conversion unit 304 of the input image processing unit 201 of the MFP 101 acquires the luminance data of the tone correction patch pattern and converts it into density data. Then, this data is sent to the automatic gradation correction unit 203 of the MFP 101 via the transmission unit 305 of the input image processing unit 201 of the MFP 101. The automatic gradation correction unit 203 of the MFP 101 that has received the density data compares the received density data with the ideal density characteristic of the image forming apparatus, and converts the received density data group into an ideal density characteristic. The correction is generated as gradation correction data.

  In step S <b> 604, the automatic gradation correction unit 203 of the MFP 101 transmits the gradation correction data to the SFP 102 and 104 image forming apparatus via the transmission unit 205 of the MFP 101. Alternatively, the image processing apparatus may transmit data relating to the read value of the patch pattern to the image forming apparatus without generating the gradation correction data. In this case, each image processing apparatus that has received data relating to the read value of the patch pattern generates tone correction data based on this data.

  Hereinafter, the “network automatic gradation correction registration method” and the “network automatic gradation correction patch pattern output operation method” which are the points of the present embodiment will be described.

<Network automatic gradation correction registration method>
FIG. 14 shows an example of a screen displayed on the UI unit 202 of the MFP 101 that is the master machine. The user registers an image forming apparatus that performs network automatic gradation correction on the screen of FIG. 14 displayed on the UI unit 202. Only the registered image forming apparatus is counted as an object of network automatic gradation correction. In the area 141, a list of image forming apparatuses existing on the network is displayed. The user presses the image forming apparatus that performs network automatic gradation correction. In this registration, the MFP 101 as the master machine may be registered as a target machine for network automatic gradation correction.

<Patch pattern output operation method for network automatic gradation correction>
4 and 5 are flowcharts relating to a patch pattern output operation for network automatic gradation correction. 4 shows the processing of the MFP 101, and FIG. 5 shows the processing of the SFPs 102 and 104. FIG. 15 shows an example of a screen displayed on the UI unit 202 of the MFP 101 as a master machine, and FIGS. 16 and 17 show examples of screens displayed on the UI unit 202 of the SFPs 102 and 104 as slave machines.

  In step S401, the UI unit 202 of the MFP 101 displays a patch pattern output operation method selection screen as shown in FIG. In the screen of FIG. 15, the UI unit 202 of the MFP 101 displays a cancel button 151, a patch pattern output button 152, and a patch pattern output standby button 153.

  When the cancel button 151 is pressed in S402, the network automatic gradation correction is interrupted. When the patch pattern output button 152 is pressed in S403, the automatic gradation correction unit 203 of the MFP 101 transmits a patch pattern output instruction to the automatic gradation correction unit 203 of the SFPs 102 and 104 via the transmission unit 205 in S404. . When the patch pattern output standby button 153 is pressed in S405, in S406, the automatic gradation correction unit 203 of the MFP 101 instructs the automatic gradation correction unit 203 of the SFPs 102 and 104 via the transmission unit 205 to wait for patch pattern output. Send.

  In step S <b> 501, the receiving units 200 of the SFPs 102 and 104 receive an output instruction from the MFP 101. In S502, it is determined whether or not the received instruction is a patch pattern output instruction. In the case of a patch pattern output instruction, the automatic gradation correction unit 203 of the SFPs 102 and 104 instructs the patch pattern output via the transmission unit 205 of the SFPs 102 and 104. In step S505, a patch pattern is output. Thereafter, in S506, the UI unit 202 of the SFPs 102 and 104 displays that the patch pattern has been output, as in the area 171 in FIG. If the instruction received in S502 is not a patch pattern output instruction, that is, a patch pattern output standby instruction, the UI unit 202 of the SFPs 102 and 104 displays the patch pattern output button 161 in FIG. 16 in S503. When the button 161 is pressed in S504, the automatic gradation correction unit 203 of the SFPs 102 and 104 instructs the patch pattern output via the transmission unit 205 of the SFPs 102 and 104. After outputting the patch pattern in S505, in S506, the UI unit 202 of the SFPs 102 and 104 displays that the patch pattern has been output as in the area 171 in FIG.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the patch pattern output timing can be controlled not only by the master machine but also by the slave machine. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in operability and productivity in network automatic gradation correction, and to reduce a user load.

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment, when the patch pattern data read by the master machine is transmitted to the slave machine that is the target of network automatic gradation correction, the user determines which slave machine's patch pattern data is to be transmitted. explained. In the second embodiment, a case where a QR code is given as an identifier for identifying a slave machine that is a target of network automatic gradation correction on paper will be described. A feature is that the patch pattern data can be matched with the slave machine to be subjected to network automatic gradation correction without the user being aware of it. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a description will be given of a method for applying a QR code including a point and a reading method by a scanner.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an image in which a QR code is added to a patch pattern for gradation correction printed out from an image forming apparatus. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing network automatic gradation correction processing according to the present embodiment.

  In step S <b> 701, the MFP 101 issues a gradation correction instruction to the SFPs 102 and 104 on the network registered for performing automatic network gradation correction. Upon receiving the instruction, the image forming apparatus (SFP 102, 104) prints the tone correction patch pattern 133 printed on each color (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) on paper. Here, the QR code 133 in which the IP address or product name of each MFP or SFP is coded is also printed. The user collects the output tone correction pitch pattern from each image forming apparatus. After the gradation correction patch pattern collected by the user is placed on the scanner, the user issues a read start instruction.

  In step S <b> 702, the automatic tone correction unit 203 of the MFP 101 causes the scanner to start scanning via the transmission unit 205 of the MFP 101. The receiving unit 301 of the input image processing unit 201 of the MFP 101 receives the gradation correction patch pattern read by scanning. Then, the image dividing unit 302 of the input image processing unit 201 of the MFP 101 divides the gradation correction patch pattern and the QR code 133 with respect to the received gradation correction patch pattern.

  In step S <b> 703, the QR code analysis unit 303 of the input image processing unit 201 of the MFP 101 analyzes the QR code 133. Then, the IP address and product name of the image forming apparatus that transmits the data after gradation correction are transmitted to the automatic gradation correction unit 203 via the transmission unit 305 of the input image processing unit 201 of the MFP 101. This data is stored.

  In step S <b> 704, the luminance density conversion unit 304 acquires the luminance data of the tone correction patch pattern 132 divided by the image dividing unit 302, and converts this into density data. Then, this data is transmitted to the automatic gradation correction unit 203 via the transmission unit 305. The automatic gradation correction unit 203 that has received the density data compares the received density data with an ideal density characteristic of the image forming apparatus, and performs density correction for converting the received density data group into an ideal density characteristic. Generated as gradation correction data.

  In step S <b> 705, the automatic gradation correction unit 203 transmits the gradation correction data to the image forming apparatus that is the network automatic gradation correction target via the transmission unit 205 based on the IP address acquired from the QR code.

  Here, the QR code is used to identify the image forming apparatus that is the target of network automatic gradation correction. However, the image formation that is the target of network automatic gradation correction such as a one-dimensional code or a list of numbers as shown in FIG. Any format can be used as long as the device can be identified.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, by applying a QR code to a patch pattern, the patch pattern and the network automatic gradation correction target slave can be matched without the user being conscious. Therefore, the operability is improved and the load on the user is reduced.

[Embodiment 3]
In the first embodiment, the case where the name of the slave machine and the output operation method are displayed on the master machine has been described. In the third embodiment, in order to limit the target of network automatic gradation correction and clarify the slave machine that collects the patch pattern, the master machine specifies the location and device status of the slave machine that is the target of network automatic gradation correction. The case of displaying will be described.

<Network automatic gradation correction registration method>
20 and 21 show examples of screens displayed on the UI unit 202 of the MFP 101 serving as the master machine. The user registers an image forming apparatus that performs network automatic gradation correction on the screen of FIG. 20 displayed on the UI unit 202. Only the registered image forming apparatus is counted as an object of network automatic gradation correction. In the area 201, a list of image forming apparatuses existing on the network is displayed. The user presses the image forming apparatus that performs network automatic gradation correction. Next, when the button 202 is pressed, the screen of FIG. 21 is displayed on the UI unit 202. The installation location is selected by pressing a pull-down menu button of the button 211 from a list of locations registered in advance. Registration is completed by pressing the button 212 after selecting the installation location. As in the first embodiment, the MFP 101 that is the master machine may be registered as a target machine for network automatic gradation correction.

<Network automatic gradation correction information display>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart until the slave machine information is displayed on the master machine and a patch pattern output instruction is sent. 18 and 19 show examples of screens displayed on the UI unit 202 of the MFP 101. FIG.

  The registered device name is displayed in the area 182 of the slave machine selection screen in FIG. 18, and whether the network automatic gradation correction is possible and necessary is displayed in the area 183. Whether or not network automatic gradation correction is possible is determined from an error code issued by the slave machine. For example, an error code such as out of toner or out of paper is received by the master machine. The necessity of network automatic gradation correction is determined based on information on how much time has passed since the previous network automatic gradation correction, the difference in gradation correction control in the engine of the image forming apparatus, and the like. A check box is displayed in area 181 to allow the user to select a device that performs network automatic gradation correction. In the area 184, the output operation method described in the first embodiment is displayed, and the user selects it. An option is selected by pressing a pull-down menu button of the button 185 from a list of locations registered in advance. When the network automatic gradation correction start button 186 is pressed after selection, the UI unit 202 of the MFP 101 displays the screen of FIG.

  In the area 191 of the screen of FIG. 19, the installation location of the slave machine that is the target of network automatic gradation correction is displayed. In the area 192, whether the patch pattern of each slave machine has been read by the scanner of the MFP 101 is displayed. The installation location displays information when the slave for which the network automatic gradation correction is to be registered is registered. Whether the patch pattern of each slave machine has been read by the scanner of the MFP 101 is determined from the analysis data of the QR code, and “Done” is displayed on the corresponding slave machine.

  In S801 in FIG. 8, the UI unit 202 of the MFP 101 displays the slave machine selection screen in FIG. When the cancel button in FIG. 18 is pressed in S802, network automatic gradation correction is interrupted. When the network automatic gradation correction start button 186 is pressed in S803, the slave machine selected in S804 is confirmed. When the patch pattern output button is pressed in S805, the automatic gradation correction unit 203 of the MFP 101 transmits a patch pattern output instruction to the automatic gradation correction unit 203 of the selected slave machine in S806. If the patch pattern output standby button is pressed in S807, the automatic gradation correction unit 203 of the MFP 101 transmits a patch pattern output standby instruction to the automatic gradation correction unit 203 of the selected slave machine in S808. In step S809, the fact that the patch pattern has been output is displayed.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, information on the slave machine that is the target of network automatic gradation correction is displayed on the master machine. As a result, slave machines that do not require automatic network gradation correction can be excluded, and the patch pattern can be easily collected by knowing the installation location. Further, by displaying whether or not the patch pattern has already been read, it is possible to prevent the patch pattern from being uncollected. Therefore, the operability is improved and the load on the user is reduced.

[Embodiment 4]
Up to the third embodiment, the case where the output timing of the patch pattern is left to the user has been described. However, when there are a plurality of network automatic gradation correction target image forming apparatuses, it is troublesome to issue an output instruction for each image forming apparatus. Therefore, it is considered that operability and productivity can be improved by enabling the output timing to be set automatically. Therefore, the timing at which the user collects the patch pattern is calculated using the information on the installation location of the image forming apparatus described in the third embodiment, and the timing at which the user arrives at the image forming apparatus targeted for patch collection. To be output with. The method will be described.

<Patch pattern output timing automatic control method>
FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are flowcharts showing the exchange of patch pattern output timing information when the automatic automatic gradation correction patch pattern output timing is automatically controlled. In S901 of FIG. 9, the MFP 101 stores travel time information corresponding to the installation location of the slave machine targeted for network automatic gradation correction in the storage unit 204 of the MFP 101. In step S902, the movement time information of the MFP 101 is added to calculate the total movement time. A method for calculating the total travel time will be described later. In step S <b> 903, the MFP 101 transmits the patch pattern output time to the SFPs 102 and 104 based on the total movement time via the transmission unit 205.

  In S <b> 1001 of FIG. 10, the receiving units 200 of the SFPs 102 and 104 receive the patch pattern output time from the MFP 101. In step S1002, the automatic gradation correction unit 203 of the SFPs 102 and 104 waits for the output patch pattern output time, and in step S1003, instructs the patch pattern output via the transmission unit 205 of the SFPs 102 and 104.

<Travel time information>
In the network automatic gradation correction registration method described in the third embodiment, there is a step of selecting an installation location. Consider adding time information internally to the installation location information. For example, if there is an installation location called living room 1, the travel time from the center of living room 1 to the entrance is registered together with the installation location. Also, since the number of floors may be different, the travel time for the first floor is registered separately. In addition, for example, it is assumed that the master machine is in the first floor room 1 and the slave machine is in the second floor room 2. By summing the travel time from room 1, the travel time for the first floor, and the travel time of room 2, the travel time from the master machine to the slave machine can be determined. After that, the patch pattern is output after the movement time to the slave machine has elapsed from the timing at which the user instructs to start the network automatic gradation correction on the master machine.

  Here, as an example, the distance from the center of the living room 1 to the entrance / exit is set as one movement time, but a point that becomes a point such as the center may be arbitrarily set. If the travel time from the entrance to the stairs is also registered, the total travel time can be calculated with higher accuracy.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the patch pattern output timing can be automatically calculated. As a result, it is possible to output patch patterns at an appropriate timing while coping with problems such as patch pattern mixing, thereby improving productivity and operability.

[Embodiment 5]
In the third embodiment, the information of the slave machine that is the target of network automatic gradation correction is displayed on the master machine. However, it is considered that the operability can be further improved by allowing some information to be displayed on the slave machine. Therefore, when the user collects the patch pattern of the slave machine, information is displayed on the slave machine so that it can be understood which other slave machine should be collected next. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, a display method in the slave machine will be described. In the fifth embodiment, it is assumed that the patch pattern is collected from the SFP 102 to the SFP 104.

<Display slave machine>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart regarding information display on the slave machine. Processing similar to that of the first embodiment is performed, and the SFP 102 outputs a patch pattern in S1101. The UI unit 202 of the SFP 102 displays that the patch pattern has been output as in the area 221 in FIG. In step S1102, the UI unit 202 of the SFP 102 displays a button 222. When the button 222 is pressed in S1103, the UI unit 202 of the SFP 102 displays the screen in FIG. 23 in S1104. In the area 231 of FIG. 23, the name and installation location of the image forming apparatus and whether or not the patch pattern has been output are displayed. In this information, information about the other slave machine from which the patch pattern is to be collected next is displayed, and the user collects the patch pattern from the other machine accordingly.

<Slave machine selection method>
In step S <b> 1104, the SFP 102 displays the image forming apparatus closest to the SFP 102 among the image forming apparatuses registered in the MFP 101. In order to determine the closest image forming apparatus, the information on the travel time corresponding to the installation location described in the fourth embodiment is used. The SFP 102 acquires the registered image forming apparatus name and travel time information from the MFP 101. The SFP 102 calculates the total movement time with each image forming apparatus and selects the image forming apparatus with the shortest total movement time. The patch pattern output status information is acquired from the selected image forming apparatus, and the SFP 102 displays the name and location of the image forming apparatus from which the patch pattern is to be collected next, and whether the patch pattern has been output.

[Other Examples]
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (10)

Receiving means for receiving instructions from other image processing devices;
If the instruction received by the receiving means is a printout of a patch pattern for gradation correction, the patch pattern is printed out, and the instruction received by the reception means is a printout of the patch pattern for gradation correction. A control means for controlling to display on the display device a screen for receiving an instruction to print out the patch pattern from the user,
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an identifier for identifying the image processing apparatus is assigned to the patch pattern.   The control unit receives information about a timing to output a patch pattern received from the other image processing apparatus, and prints out the patch pattern according to the information about the received timing. Item 12. The image processing device according to Item 1.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: displaying information on another image processing apparatus from which the patch pattern is to be collected on the display unit after the patch pattern is printed out. An image processing system in which a plurality of image processing devices are connected to a first image processing device,
The first image processing apparatus
Instruction means for issuing an instruction for gradation correction from a plurality of connected image processing apparatuses to an image processing apparatus to be subjected to gradation correction;
When receiving the instruction means, the image processing apparatus that receives the instruction means outputs a patch pattern for gradation correction, or displays the image processing apparatus that is the gradation correction object. Selection means for selecting whether to display a screen for instructing the apparatus to output a patch pattern;
Among the plurality of image processing devices, the image processing device that is the gradation correction target is
An image processing system comprising output means for outputting the patch pattern for gradation correction. A receiving step for receiving an instruction from another image processing apparatus;
If the instruction received in the receiving step is a printout of a patch pattern for gradation correction, the patch pattern is printed out, and the instruction received in the reception step is a printout of the patch pattern for gradation correction. A control step for controlling to display on the display device a screen for receiving an instruction to print out the patch pattern from the user,
A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising:   The method of controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein an identifier for identifying the image processing apparatus is assigned to the patch pattern.   The control step receives information about a timing for outputting a patch pattern received from the other image processing apparatus, and prints out the patch pattern according to the information about the received timing. Item 7. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus according to Item 6.   The method of controlling an image processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: displaying information on another image processing apparatus from which the patch pattern is to be collected in the display step after the patch pattern is printed out. .   A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method of the image processing apparatus according to claim 6.

Images