Recent copying machines have higher image quality, and the halftone
processing methods are diversifying. If automatic tone correction is
applied in correspondence with the diversified halftone processing
methods, a long operation time is required. Hence, a sample chart based
on the sample data is formed by a printer. A reader acquires image data
of the sample chart, and the tone correction characteristics of a density
correction unit corresponding to the image processing are updated based
on the image data of the sample chart. In this case, generation of sample
charts and updating of the tone correction characteristics are controlled
in accordance with a user instruction as to whether or not to execute
batch update processing of the tone correction characteristics of the
density correction unit corresponding to the plurality of halftone
processing methods.