US Patent 7151617 Image synthesizing apparatus

There is disclosed an image synthesizing device that is provided with a mode switching device for switching over between an overlay mode and an inlay mode. In the overlay mode, image data of a subject image is input into a memory in a size corresponding to a designated print size of a composite image, and at least an additional image is overlaid on a predetermined portion of the subject image. So the composite image having a simple structure will be produced promptly in the overlay mode without the need for complicated operations. In the inlay mode, a mount area is defined in the memory in correspondence with a designated print size of a composite image, and the subject image and at least an additional image are inlaid in those ranges which are defined in variable sizes at appropriate locations within the mount area.