Automatic generation of a realistic looking single image stereogram using stereo vision

Stereogram or autostereogram, frequently known as Magic Eye picture, is a two-dimensional (2D) image. Hidden inside each stereogram image is a floating object which appears in three-dimensional. We present a fully featured, web-based, online system that produces on-the-fly stereograms (or autostereograms) from a pair of side-by-side images. The system consists of three steps: (i) two side-by-side near stereo images are processed to reconstruct a disparity map, (ii) multiple regions of left or right images are automatically selected for building stereogram, (iii) base distance is estimated for the best human perception, and (iv) reconstruction of stereogram. Stereogram is built with a variety of transparency options, thus, multiple regions of images can be presented in the final output and display of transparent 3D layers in stereogram is possible. Moreover, the system is portable and can be used in smartphones with an Internet connection. Image pairs can be acquired directly on the phone and stereogram is reconstructed and displayed on the phone screen. These novel features place the system ahead of current alternatives and allows a wide variety of users to experience stereo reconstruction and stereogram generation in a quick and easy manner. Additionally, the system could serve as a platform for online based visual perception studies.