1. A method for generating a depth map containing an array of pixels, from a monoscopic source image using a computer system comprising a data receiver and an edge analyzer, the method comprising: (a) using the edge analyzer for identifying a subset of the array of pixels that represents edges of local regions of the monoscopic source image, the edges being defined by an image parameter having an estimated value exceeding a predefined threshold, wherein the image parameter represents a transition in luminance, contrast, texture, or color in the monoscopic source image; (b) assigning to each pixel within said subset an edge depth value based on the corresponding estimated value of the image parameter; (c) generating the depth map for the monoscopic source image based on the edge depth values; and, (d) smoothing the entire depth map in both vertical and horizontal orientations using a smoothing filter, wherein range and strength of the smoothing are greater in the vertical than the horizontal orientation; wherein step (d) comprises smoothing the depth map to a near-saturation level, so selected as to minimize dis-occluded regions around each edge in a deviated image generated based on the depth map, using a 2D Gaussian filter defined by a window size parameter and a standard deviation parameter that are each larger in the vertical than in the horizontal orientation.