In this paper, we propose a spiking neural network model for edge detection in images. The proposed model is biologically inspired by the mechanisms employed by natural vision systems, more specifically by the biologically fulfilled function of simple cells of the human primary visual cortex that are selective for orientation. Several aspects are studied in this model according to three characteristics: feedforward spiking neural structure; conductance-based model of the Hodgkin-Huxley neuron and Gabor receptive fields structure. A visualized map is generated using the firing rate of neurons representing the orientation map of the visual cortex area. We have simulated the proposed model on different images. Successful computer simulation results are obtained. For comparison, we have chosen five methods for edge detection. We finally evaluate and compare the performances of our model toward contour detection using a public dataset of natural images with associated contour ground truths. Experimental results show the ability and high performance of the proposed network model.
Keywords: Computational neuroscience; Edge detection; Gabor function; Hodgkin–Huxley model; Spiking neural networks; Visual cortex.