Abstract: The present invention aims to prevent a problem that an image on a document sheet is erased due to misdetection of a line-shaped noise. A copy machine 1 compares RGB values of a target pixel with averaged RGB values (Step S103). If only one of the RGB values has a difference that is greater than a prescribed value Ref2 (Step S103: YES), the copy machine 1 extracts the target pixel as a line-shaped noise pixel, and moves to a line-shaped noise correction (Step S108) while holding the address of the target pixel in a line-shaped noise address storing area 49b. If two of the RGB values have differences (Step S103: NO, Step S104: YES) and a difference between these two of the RGB values is no greater than a prescribed value Ref3 (Step S105: YES), the copy machine 1 extracts the target pixel as a line-shaped noise pixel, and moves to the line-shaped noise correction (Step S108) while holding the address of the target pixel in the line-shaped noise address storing area 49b.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing use of customer documents in maintaining image quality or image quality consistency of printing devices are provided. The system may include a marking engine constructed to print images on an image bearing surface of the print device; one or more color measuring devices for measured toner images formed on the image bearing surface corresponding to the one or more relevant pages, and an image analyzer configured to generate reference images and to compare measured image data with the reference images. The image analyzer may also be configured to analyze input image data for a document and to identify one or more relevant pages of the document that may provide information regarding the state of the printing system to generated reference image data. Comparisons between the color separations of the reference image data and measured image data images may be realized for determining defects.

Abstract: A method for forming a variable data job includes a fixed original image provided by original image data in a first multiple channel color plane and content provided by variable image data in a second multiple channel color plane. The original image data is converted to fixed image data in a clear channel color plane. Raster image processing is performed on the fixed image data to translate the fixed image data into a first ready-to-print file. The ready-to-print file is saved in a memory as a post-RIP file. The variable image data is subsequently provided in at least the second multiple channel color plane. Image processing is performed on the variable image data to obtain a second ready-to-print file. The post-RIP file is merged with the second ready-to-print file for forming the variable data job. The variable data job is printed to render output.

Abstract: Printers are provided. In one aspect, a printer has a printer controller cooperating with a print engine, receiver transport system, overlap positioning system, and fuser to cause a first toner image to be formed on the first side of the first receiver with toner at least in an overlap area proximate to a first edge of the first receiver; to overlap the first edge of the first receiver with a second edge of the second receiver having a second thickness at a second end and to fuse the overlapped first receiver and second receiver to cause the toner in the overlap area to bond the first receiver to the second receiver. The first toner image includes an edge concealment toner pattern positioned confronting the second edge with the edge concealment toner pattern having toner that reduces the visual impact of image artifacts created by the overlapping second edge.

Abstract: A system and method control a consistent color quality of overlay colors and single separations of color. The method determines a first error for a first separation of a first color, wherein the first error has a first sign. The method identifies a second error for a second separation of a second color, wherein the second color is a different color than the first color, wherein the second error is based on an actual density value for toner particles printed transferred from the second separation, wherein the second error has a second sign. The method compares the first sign of the first error and the second sign of the second error. The method converges the actual density value of the second separation to a target position when the first sign is a different sign than the second sign.

Abstract: The color image forming apparatus performs registration control and is operable in first and second image forming modes. Contact control in the first image forming mode is different from that in the second image forming mode. The control section causes an alignment correction amount to vary between registration control corresponding to image forming for a second or subsequent sheet in the first image forming mode and registration control corresponding to image forming for a second or subsequent sheet in the second image forming mode. An engine control section causes a color deviation correction amount for contact control of a process unit when shifting from image forming for a first sheet to image forming for a second sheet to vary between the first and second image forming modes.

Abstract: Methods are provided for forming a combination print having an image thereon. In accordance with one aspect, a first receiver is provided having a first side with a toner in an overlap area and the first receiver is overlapped with a second receiver overlapping the first receiver; and the first receiver and second receiver are moved in the overlapped position past a print engine so that an image is formed on the combination of the first receiver and the second receiver with contiguous application of toner forming the image applied across the first receiver and the second receiver, the first receiver and second receiver are fused to bind the prints together and to fix the toner to form a combination print having a continuously applied image.

Abstract: Printers are provided. In one aspect, a printer has a printer controller cooperating with a print engine, receiver transport system, overlap positioning system, and fuser to cause a first toner image to be formed on the first side of the first receiver with toner at least in an overlap area proximate to a first edge of the first receiver; to overlap the first edge of the first receiver with a second edge of the second receiver having a second thickness at a second end and to fuse the overlapped first receiver and second receiver to cause the toner in the overlap area to bond the first receiver to the second receiver. The first toner image includes an edge concealment toner pattern positioned confronting the second edge with the edge concealment toner pattern having toner that reduces the visual impact of image artifacts created by the overlapping second edge.

Abstract: Methods forming a durable combination print and a printed article are provided. In one aspect, a first receiver is provided with a first thickness at a first edge and having a first toner image on a first side with toner at least in an overlap area proximate the first edge and toner forming a toner edge shield. The first edge and overlap area are overlapped with a second receiver having a second thickness at a second edge; and, the first receiver and the second receiver are fused to cause the toner in the overlap area to bond the first receiver to the second receiver. The first toner image includes a toner edge shield with a first end confronting the second edge that extends from the first side of the first receiver to at least about 50% of the second thickness and has a deflection surface sloped toward a second end.

Abstract: A forming-dot counting section counts a number of dots of a subject color based on dot pattern data of the subject color. An overlapping-dot counting section compares the dot pattern data of the subject color and the dot pattern data of at least one other color of which dots are formed prior to the subject color, and counts a number of overlapping dots of the subject color that are formed in an overlapping relation with the dots of the at least one other color. A calculating section calculates the amount of adhering toner of the subject color by subtracting an estimated amount of non-adhering toner from an estimated amount of adhering toner. The estimated amount of adhering toner is estimated based on the number of dots of the subject color. The estimated amount of non-adhering toner is estimated based on the number of overlapping dots.

Abstract: A color registration apparatus that independently forms images of predetermined respective colors and compensates a mis-registration between the overlapped images of respective colors employed in an image forming apparatus of forming a color image by overlapping the images of respective colors, includes a detecting unit to detect a contour form and positional information of respective color patterns formed on an image transfer path by the image forming apparatus proportional to a corresponding format of a printing medium where the color image will be transferred, and a controller to compensate a mis-registration between the overlapped images of respective colors through based on data detected by the detecting unit.

Abstract: An image information detecting apparatus comprises a light source comprising a light emitting surface, an image bearing member, a light receiving unit comprising a light receiving surface, an illumination optical system for causing the light emitting surface and the image bearing member to have a conjugate relationship and illuminating a pattern for detecting the overlap positional deviation with a beam; and a light receiving optical system for causing the image bearing member and the light receiving surface to have a conjugate relationship and guiding the beam for detecting the overlap positional deviation to the light receiving unit, wherein a straight line portion of a conjugate image of the light emitting surface on the image bearing member and a straight line portion of a conjugate image of the light receiving surface on the image bearing member are parallel with each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member; an exposure device for exposing to light the photosensitive member to form an electrostatic latent image by using exposure image data for an output image to which an information image to be formed so as to be made difficult to be visually recognized with respect to background color has been added; developing portion for developing the electrostatic latent image with color toner into a color toner image; a transparent toner image forming portion for forming a transparent toner image located on the color image on a recording material; and an image processing portion for generating the exposure image data so that a toner amount of the information image on which the transparent toner image is superposed is less than that of the information image on which the transparent toner image is not superposed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus acquires a type of consumable material possessed by the image forming apparatus using a library provided in an application platform, displays forms capable of printing using the type of consumable material acquired, and forms an image using one or more forms designated from among the displayed forms.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit and a correction unit. The image forming unit superimposes toner images of a plurality of colors, one over the other, on a recording medium to form a composite color toner image thereon. The correction unit corrects an image condition of the toner images of the plurality of colors when the composite color toner image is formed on a transparent portion of the recording medium so as to be visible from a side opposite a side on which the composite color toner image is formed.

Abstract: A forming-dot counting section counts a number of dots of a subject color based on dot pattern data of the subject color. An overlapping-dot counting section compares the dot pattern data of the subject color and the dot pattern data of at least one other color of which dots are formed prior to the subject color, and counts a number of overlapping dots of the subject color that are formed in an overlapping relation with the dots of the at least one other color. A calculating section calculates the amount of adhering toner of the subject color by subtracting an estimated amount of non-adhering toner from an estimated amount of adhering toner. The estimated amount of adhering toner is estimated based on the number of dots of the subject color. The estimated amount of non-adhering toner is estimated based on the number of overlapping dots.

Abstract: There is provided a photoreceptor cleanerless image forming apparatus capable of decreasing color mixture or an exposure error due to reverse transfer toner or untransferred toner. An image forming apparatus 100 according to the present invention comprises four image forming units 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d configured to be photoreceptor cleanerless in a 4-drum tandem manner. Each image forming unit includes a photoreceptor 103a, 103b, 103c, or 103d, a charger 105a, 105b, 105c, or 105d, an exposure apparatus 106a, 106b, 106c, or 106d, and a developing apparatus 109a, 109b, 109c, or 109d. When exposure intensities Iy, Ic, Im, and Ik are assumed for exposure sources of the exposure apparatuses in the image forming units which form yellow, magenta, cyan, and black images, respectively, the exposure intensities are configured to satisfy conditions of Ik?Ic?Im?Iy and Ik>Iy. This decreases an exposure error (image hysteresis) in an image formed on paper.

Abstract: A color shift detection pattern forming part forms a color shift detection pattern. A sensor detects color shift in the color shift detection pattern. A color shift amount computing part calculates an amount of color shift. A color shift correcting part corrects the calculated amount of color shift. A correction amount computing part computes an amount of correction to correct the computed amount of color shift. A correcting part corrects the computed amount of color shift based on the computed amount of correction based on a setting value for controlling a color shift state. A determining part determines whether an abnormality is detected in the computed amount of color shift or in the computed amount of correction of color shift based on a result of computation of the amount of color shift or a result of computation of the amount of correction. A fixed value setting part sets a specific fixed value to the setting value of the correcting part.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a transport member, image forming units (used as pattern forming unit), a pattern detector, and an image misalignment detector. The image forming units form correction-use patterns for each color on the transport member. The pattern detector directs a light beam onto the transport member having the correction-use patterns and detect reflected light reflecting from the transport member. The image misalignment detector detects image misalignment of the correction-use patterns. The pattern forming unit forms a reference color pattern and a first color pattern. The pattern detector uses an irradiation light having a first wavelength matched to a spectral sensitivity peak of the first color pattern to detect an intensity of reflected light reflected from the transport member. The image misalignment detector computes an image misalignment value between the reference and first color patterns based on the intensity of reflected light reflected from the transport member.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image forming apparatus capable of, and a method of, correcting a color registration error. The image forming apparatus corrects a color registration error by adjusting a scan start time of, and/or the distance in a sub-scanning direction between, multiple light beams that are scanned by a light scanning unit onto several photosensitive media.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus which is capable of preventing images read from a double-sided original from suffering an in-surface color irregularity on each of images read from the respective opposite sides of a double-sided original and a color difference between the front and reverse. A CCD line sensor reads a front-side original image. An image processing ASIC calculates shading correction data for performing shading correction on original image data read from the original image by the CCD line sensor, based on read luminance values obtained by the CCD line sensor by reading a plurality of halftone gradation patches thereon on a correction chart. The shading correction data calculated by the image processing ASIC is corrected based on read luminance values associated, respectively, with at least two of the gradation patches.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a laser array in which n light emitting sources are arrayed, an image-input converting unit configured to create, for each of channels of the laser array, a recording pattern for executing PWC from input image data and extract recording patterns of an nth channel and a first channel of the next scanning of the laser array, an overlapping control unit configured to calculate the width of laser pulses in the same position in a main scanning direction as overlapping width, a data correcting unit configured to reduce laser pulse width by a reduction amount corresponding to the calculated overlapping width and correct the laser pulse width, and a laser driver configured to control the intensity of laser beams in the respective channels of the laser array according to the recording patterns after the correction.

Abstract: A multi-color image-forming apparatus having image-forming sections for a plurality of different colors can include an optical sensor having a light-casting section that casts single polarized light and a light-receiving section that receives polarized light different from the cast light. A pattern for detecting toner positions can be used in which toner having high reflectance to a particular light emission wavelength is independently formed. In addition, other patterns in which toner having low reflectance to the particular light emission wavelength are partially formed on a central portion of the pattern of high reflection toner by using the high reflection toner as a foundation. The apparatus can detect each toner pattern by the optical sensor to correct the color shift of each color.

Abstract: An electrographic printer and related method for providing a custom color including printing custom color on a receiver using a multicolor printer including at least one color module capable of printing at least one color image separation of a first color toner on an imaging member by collecting a first color toner from an imaging member, mixing the first color toner with one or more second color toners in a custom color module to produce a blended custom color toner comprising a mixture of at least the first color toner and a second color toner to produce a custom color image separation. Then printing the custom color image separation by transferring the image to a receiver and fusing the image on the receiver.

Abstract: An image forming device includes an image forming unit that forms an image including at least one of a user-requested image and a test image onto a recording medium, a controller that controls the image forming unit to form a test image including a mixed color on the recording medium, a transporting path that transports the recording medium on which the test image is formed by the image forming unit, an image detecting unit disposed at the transporting path that detects the test image formed on the recording medium, and a calibration unit that performs a color calibration process based upon the test image detected by the image detecting unit.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a color separation registration error in a multi-color printing system are provided. The system and method provide for instructing first and second color separations to mark a substrate with first and second fine-periodic-patch images to determine color separation registration error(s). The system and method further provide for determining whether at least an about half-period color separation registration error exists between the first and second color separations.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, including a compensation pattern forming device to form a predetermined compensation pattern to compensate image displacement in each key color, a plurality of detectors to detect two key colors in the predetermined compensation pattern, and a compensating device to compensate the image displacement of the two key colors detected by the detectors.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a control section which controls a forming section and a detection section to form an image patterns at a non-image area between image areas on an image carrier, to detect the image patterns as required, and to execute various types of compensation operations for correcting image forming conditions, and, when a timing of executing a first compensation operation coincides with a timing of executing a second compensation operation and the image pattern for the first compensation operation and the image pattern for the second compensation operation have a relationship such that the positions of forming the image patterns on the image carrier do not overlap each other, controls the image forming section to form both image patterns in the same non-image area.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, forming a color image by successively superposing color images, formed on image carriers of corresponding image forming parts arranged along a rotational direction of an endless moving member, onto the endless moving member or a recording medium conveyed thereby, includes a first part causing a color registration pattern to be created on the endless moving member or the recording medium; a second part obtaining a color registration pattern signal by detecting the color registration pattern; a third part changing image formation timing in the image forming parts based on the color registration pattern signal; and a fourth part causing the endless moving member to rotate in forward and reverse directions after the creation of the color registration pattern. The second part obtains the color registration pattern signal by detecting the color registration pattern during each of the forward and reverse rotations of the endless moving member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which an image quality priority mode in which image density adjustment or image gradation control is effected to thereby give priority to the quality of an output image, and a speed priority mode in which gradation control is partly effected or is not effected to thereby output the output image within a short time can be selected by a user. A mode selection screen for selecting an image forming mode is displayed on the operating panel of the image forming apparatus. The image quality priority mode giving priority to the quality of image and the speed priority mode giving priority to speed are selectively displayed. When the user selects the image quality priority mode, and image control parameter is renewed immediately before image forming by image control, and the image forming is effected by the use of the renewed image control parameter, and when the speed priority mode is selected, at least part of the image control is not effected, but the image forming is effected.

Abstract: The image-forming apparatus and an image-forming method of the present invention stably provides a high-quality image having a surface with a uniform gloss value, without reduction in image density, and with good fixability. The image-forming apparatus and image-forming method of the present invention provide are characterized in that white toner or transparent toner is used under the conditions that the storage elastic modulus of the white toner or transparent toner at a saturated temperature in a fixing nip at the time of an fixing step is set to be higher than the storage elastic modulus at a saturated temperature in the fixing nip of each colored toner at the time of the fixing step, and that the storage elastic modulus G?(T) (W) or G?(T) (To) at the saturated temperature in the fixing nip of the white toner or the transparent toner at the time of the fixing step is in the range of 1.0×104 to 1.0×106 dyn/cm2.

Abstract: An image forming method exposes image bearing members by simultaneously reflecting light beams corresponding to different colors by different reflection surfaces of a polygon mirror, transforms electrostatic latent images formed on the image bearing members into toner images for correction, transfers the toner images in an overlapping manner onto a transfer body, and calibrates overlapping positions of the toner images based on an optical detection of the toner images. The toner images are arranged at positions on the transfer body such that the toner images of different colors have no overlap therebetween, even if the toner images shift in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction due to a color registration error.

Abstract: A color registration apparatus that independently forms images of predetermined respective colors and compensates a mis-registration between the overlapped images of respective colors employed in an image forming apparatus of forming a color image by overlapping the images of respective colors, includes a detecting unit to detect a contour form and positional information of respective color patterns formed on an image transfer path by the image forming apparatus proportional to a corresponding format of a printing medium where the color image will be transferred, and a controller to compensate a mis-registration between the overlapped images of respective colors through based on data detected by the detecting unit.

Abstract: In an image forming method, an intermediate transfer body made of an endless flexible member is rotated, and an image is formed on a surface of a transfer member by undergoing a secondary transfer of a developer image onto a second transfer position from the intermediate transfer body to the transfer member, the developer image undergoing a primary transfer onto a first transfer position from an image carrier to a surface of the intermediate transfer body.

Abstract: An image forming method exposes image bearing members by simultaneously reflecting light beams from light sources, corresponding to different colors, by different reflection surfaces of a polygon mirror which has reflection surfaces and is rotated in one direction, transforms electrostatic latent images formed on each of the image bearing members into toner images for correction, transfers the toner images on each of the image bearing members in an overlapping manner onto a transfer body that is transported in a transport direction, and calibrates overlapping positions of the toner images based on an optical detection of the toner images on the transfer body. The toner images are arranged at positions on the transfer body such that the toner images of different colors have no overlap therebetween even if the toner images shift in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction due to a color registration error.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit and a correction unit. The image forming unit superimposes toner images of a plurality of colors, one over the other, on a recording medium to form a composite color toner image thereon. The correction unit corrects an image condition of the toner images of the plurality of colors when the composite color toner image is formed on a transparent portion of the recording medium so as to be visible from a side opposite a side on which the composite color toner image is formed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a photosensitive body; a print head for exposing the photosensitive body; a synchronous pattern detection unit which is disposed so as to be integrated into the print head, the synchronous pattern detection unit detecting a synchronous pattern which is previously formed on an unexposed part of the photosensitive body; a synchronous signal generation unit for generating a synchronous signal based on a detected signal from the synchronous pattern detection unit; and a control unit for controlling a drive of the print head based on the generated synchronous signal.

Abstract: A sensor module is able to sense at least one aspect of objects produced by a plurality of object sources. Since one sensor module or set of sensor elements is used to examine output from the plurality of object sources, sensor to sensor variation is removed as a source of error. In a multi-engine document processor, information from the sensor module is used to adjust process actuators, adjust image data and/or generate scheduling constraints to improve output consistency. For example, facing pages of a document are rendered only on marking engines operating within a predetermined tolerance of one another. Image data may be altered so that related images are within the measured capabilities of a plurality of marking engines. System actuators, such as xerographic actuators, of selected marking engines are adjusted to improve output consistency between marking engines.

Abstract: Provided is a timing control unit that controls timing for performing a desired operation of a belt-like member at least at two operating positions including a first and second operating positions. The distance between the first and second operating positions is set to a multiple of a perimeter of the drive roll. The timing control unit includes a clock generation part for generating a clock signal having a constant period in accordance with rotation of the drive roll, and a count part for counting the clock signal generated by the clock generation part. The count part counts the clock signal generated by the clock generation part for the number corresponding to the multiple of the perimeter of the drive roll, thereby operation timing at the second operating position is synchronized with operation timing at the first operating position.

Abstract: A free sheet, high speed, color tandem printing system that controls registration of images from one imager to another while mechanically decoupling individual imagers and all the while maintaining relative registration of each of the color separations by the use of spherical transport servo devices or spherical nips (SNIPS). SNIPS correct skew, lateral, and process positions and ensure proper registration of a sheet with a station.

Abstract: A method for repositioning a mark on a belt after an image on paper registration process, which includes printing a test pattern, measuring at least one test pattern parameter, detecting a mark on a belt and detecting at least one imaging error associated therewith, using the at least one test pattern parameter and the at least one imaging error to determine the lateral distance required to shift a particular image to a desired location on the belt and shifting the image to the desired location.

Abstract: A method and system of producing image prints and other physical manifestations of images from an order specifying one or more recipients and, for each specified recipient, a set of one or more images associated with that recipient. For each recipient specified by the order, the images associated with the recipient are separated into at least one printable unit of images. Each printable unit of images can be scheduled for image processing and/or printing in an optimized manner (e.g., according to a global scheduling algorithm and/or a “just-in-time” scheduling algorithm). Also, for each recipient, the images associated with the recipient may be separated into one or more sub-orders, and each sub-order may be separated into one or more sub-batches.

Abstract: Images based on each of a plurality of color components are formed; the formed images are transferred on each transfer medium to form an image quality determining image; the image quality of the image quality determining image is determined on the basis of the detected density thereof, an adjustment image is formed by overlaying and transferring an image of other color component to be adjusted to the reference image of the reference color image out of the plurality of color components, on the transfer medium; the density of the adjustment image is detected; and the image forming position of the other color component to be adjusted is adjusted on the basis of the detected density.

Abstract: A printing technique wherein pixel locations that are requested to be marked with only black are identified, black is applied to the identified pixel locations, and non-black color is applied to a subset of the identified pixel locations that correspond to on-pixels of a reference pattern of non-black color pixels having an on-pixel population of at least 20 percent and a toner transfer efficiency of less than about 20 percent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting registration in a multicolor printing machine (1) having a number of exposure devices (2, 2′, . . . ) for the digital production of color separations (3, 3′, . . . ), the actions of setting up and combining the color separations (3, 3′, . . . ) being controlled, in order to set registration, such that in-register prints are achieved, influencing variables (4, 4′, 4″) which are caused by the printed pages and have an influence on registration being taken into account in setting up and combining the color separations (3, 3′, . . . ) before the onset of a change in said influencing variables. Therefore, no interruption of the printing process between two different printed pages (33, 34) is necessary.

Abstract: Assuming the photosensitive drum for black as a reference, the phase of the adjacent photosensitive drum for cyan leads by about 60 deg. Similarly, the phase of the photosensitive drum for magenta leads by about 120 deg., and the phase of the photosensitive drum for yellow leads by about 180 deg. The phase of each photosensitive drum is shifted to thereby make it possible to shift the phase of driving unevenness. By shifting the phase, even the distance between adjoining transfer positions corresponding to the image forming stations is set shorter than the circumference of the photosensitive drum, the variation of each photosensitive drum due to driving unevenness with respect to the printing medium passing through the transfer position can be kept congruent with the others.

Abstract: This invention is made to cause photosensitive drums 21Y, 21M, 21C, 21B to be rotated at a constant circumferential speed even if the diameter of the photosensitive drum 21B is larger than the diameters of the photosensitive drums 21Y, 21M, 21C. As a result, the defect that the service lives of the photosensitive drums and the belt are shortened and image distortion occurs can be avoided and the photosensitive drum for black can be made larger than the diameters of the photosensitive drums for the other colors.

Abstract: An interterminal anti-short-circuiting pattern is formed in an upper metal wire included in a connection terminal 3, for connecting to external driving LSI and the like, located on the projected portion of a bottom glass substrate 2. This pattern includes recess 4 and island 5 on which a contact hole 12a is formed through a protective insulating film. The protective insulating film has high residence to water penetration. Spread of the corrosion can be shut off by the recess surrounding the island. Short circuit occurrence due to interterminal current leak can be inhibited under high moisture conditions in the semiconductor device used for active matrix display, e.g. LCD panel.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus capable of color image formation with a plurality of color components, which solves a problem of increment of processing time in monochrome image formation due to correction on image formation conditions with predetermined patch formation. For this purpose, in case of monochrome image formation, even if a tonality control request flag is set, an image formation sequence is started without performing tonality control. Thus processing time can be reduced in monochrome image formation.

Abstract: A color image processing system for performing undercolor removal. The system includes input of a color image signal, generation of a grayness signal from the color image signal, generation of a darkness signal from the color image signal, and performance of undercolor removal based on the grayness signal, the darkness signal, and a black signal corresponding to the color image signal. The system also includes control of an amount of undercolor removal performed on the color image signal so that a gradient of an amount of undercolor removal performed on the color image signal relative to the grayness signal at a first darkness signal level is lower than a gradient of an amount of undercolor removal performed on the color image signal relative to the grayness signal at a second darkness signal level, wherein the second darkness signal level is lower than the first darkness signal level.