Patent ID: 8743437

Claim:
An image processing apparatus that outputs data representing a test chart to be used for measuring density unevenness in a main-scanning direction, which is included in an image printed by a printing apparatus, comprising: an outputting section to output the data representing the test chart that includes a plurality of patches respectively having gradation values, which are different from each other, and each of which is extended in the main-scanning direction; an acquiring section to acquire a measured result of measuring a density of each of the patches included in the test chart printed by the printing apparatus based on the data outputted by the outputting section; and a control section to compare in the main-scanning direction the density unevenness of a pair of patches being adjacent to each other among the plurality of patches, wherein the density unevenness of the pair of patches are derived from the measured result acquired by the acquiring section, and to determine new data representing a next patch to be outputted on a next occasion, based on the comparison result, wherein, when characteristic differences of the density unevenness in the main-scanning direction between any pair of patches included in the plurality of patches, whose gradation values are continuously adjacent to each other, fall within a first allowable range, the control section to include specific patches, a number of which is smaller than that of the plurality of patches, into next data representing a next test chart to be outputted on a next occasion, as patches representing a gradation range from a maximum to a minimum gradation values among the plurality of patches; or, wherein, when characteristic differences of the density unevenness in the main-scanning direction between any pair of patches included in the plurality of patches exceed a second allowable range, the control section to include each of the patches, whose gradation levels are adjacent to each other, into next data representing a next test chart to be outputted on a next occasion; or, wherein, when a characteristic difference of the density unevenness in the main-scanning direction between a pair of patches included in the plurality of patches exceeds a third allowable range, the control section to add a new patch, having such a gradation value that is an intermediate value between gradation values of the pair of patches, into next data representing a next test chart to be outputted on a next occasion.