Patent ID: 8861036

Claim:
An image forming apparatus including density correction characteristic data for a tone characteristic and a section to execute density conversion on input image data based on the density correction characteristic data, comprising: a section to generate multiple detecting patterns with multiple area ratios; a section to create images of the multiple detecting patterns in a prescribed order on an image bearing member; a section to detect the images of the multiple detecting patterns created on the image bearing member; a section to hold multiple detected values corresponding to the images of the multiple detecting patterns detected from the image bearing member; a section to obtain either of fixed values or previously detected values as target values for correction based on a prescribed condition, and also to obtain correction coefficients to be used for adjustment; a section to calculate a temporary correction characteristic corresponding to the detecting patterns from the obtained target values and the detected values; a section to calculate a correction characteristic corresponding to the detecting patterns from the temporary correction characteristic and the obtained correction coefficient; and a section to synthesize new density correction characteristic data for each of plural of the tone characteristics from the density correction characteristic data for the corresponding tone characteristic and the correction characteristic corresponding to the detecting patterns.