Patent ID: 7453609

Claim:
An image color correction method, comprising the steps of: forming a predetermined image in a first area on a sheet by using an image forming apparatus to apply colorant material to the sheet; irradiating a first light from a light irradiating apparatus onto the first area of the sheet, in which the predetermined image is formed on the sheet, and irradiating a second light from the light irradiating apparatus onto a second area on the sheet in a vicinity of but not on the predetermined image; adjusting a light amount of the second light to an adjusted light amount, by comparing a characteristic of light reflected from the first area with a characteristic of light reflected from the second area while the first and second areas are illuminated at a level below a predetermined illumination level and adjusting the light amount of the second light until a result of the comparing meets a predetermined criterion; and setting an image forming condition of the image forming apparatus based on the adjusted light amount obtained in said adjusting step.