Image processing apparatus, image processing method and storage medium

A control method of an image processing apparatus connected via a network to a plurality of image forming apparatuses that implement a first gradation correction, or a second gradation correction, for instructing the connected plurality of image forming apparatuses to implement gradation corrections, the method comprising:

• selecting the first gradation correction or the second gradation correction, for each of the connected plurality of image forming apparatuses;
• sending instructions to an image forming apparatus connected via the network, for which the first gradation correction is selected, to form patch patterns on an image carrier in the image forming apparatus, to generate gradation correction data from data obtained by reading out the patch patterns by a sensor of the image forming apparatus, and to start gradation correction;
• instructing the image forming apparatus connected via the network, for which the second gradation correction has been selected, to print the patch patterns on paper;
• reading out patch patterns arranged in a reading section by a user, printed by the image forming apparatus connected via the network, for which the second gradation correction has been selected;
• sending data for correcting readout values of the patch patterns to the image forming apparatus connected via the network, for which the second gradation correction has been selected;
• and
• surveying output histories of respective image forming apparatuses, to further reduce a number of papers of print output product for gradation correction, in the second gradation correction.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to execute a method for controlling an image processing apparatus connected via a network to a plurality of image forming apparatuses that implement a first gradation correction, or a second gradation correction, for instructing the connected plurality of image forming apparatuses to implement gradation corrections, the method comprising:

• selecting the first gradation correction or the second gradation correction, for each of the connected plurality of image forming apparatuses;
• sending instructions to an image forming apparatus connected via the network, for which the first gradation correction is selected, to form patch patterns on an image carrier in the image forming apparatus, to generate gradation correction data from data obtained by reading out the patch patterns by a sensor of the image forming apparatus, and to start gradation correction;
• instructing the image forming apparatus connected via the network, for which the second gradation correction has been selected, to print the patch pattern on paper;
• reading out patch patterns arranged in a reading section by a user, printed by the image forming apparatus connected via the network, for which the second gradation correction has been selected;
• sending data for correcting readout values of the patch patterns to the image forming apparatus connected via the network, for which the second gradation correction has been selected;
• and
• surveying output histories of respective image forming apparatuses, to further reduce a number of papers of print output product for gradation correction, in the second gradation correction.