Image processing method, image processing apparatus, and image forming apparatus

An image processing apparatus, comprising:

• a measured concentration value obtaining unit which measures the concentration in a concentration pattern by a plurality of optical sensors and obtains measured concentration values;
• an estimation value obtaining unit which estimates original concentration by an independent component analysis on the basis of the measured concentration values and obtains estimation values;
• a correction value obtaining unit which obtains correction values for allowing the measured concentration values to approach the estimation values;
• an image correcting unit for correcting image information using the correction values to provide corrected image information;
• and
• a print engine unit for printing the corrected image information onto a print medium.

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a measured concentration value obtaining unit which measures the concentration in a concentration pattern by a plurality of optical sensors and obtains measured concentration values;
• an estimation value obtaining unit which estimates original concentration by an independent component analysis on the basis of the measured concentration values and obtains estimation values;
• a correction value obtaining unit which obtains correction values for allowing the measured concentration values to approach the estimation values;
• an image control unit for correcting image information using the correction values to provide corrected image information;
• a print engine unit for printing the corrected image information onto a print medium;
• and
• a control unit for controlling the measured concentration value obtaining unit, the estimation value obtaining unit, the correction value obtaining unit, the image control unit, and the print engine unit.