Abstract: Based on the Gabor function model of simple cortical cells, by imitating the structure of orientation columns in visual cortex, and aided by pattern enhancement and processing nets, a model for edge detection with neuron-like organization is constructed. Simulation results show that its detection capability is comparable to that of the advanced edge detection algorithms of, the smoothing-spacial differentiation type in vogue. It is shown that this model as intuitively based on the early concept of edge detectors is essentially identical in the underlying mechanism to the latter. The proposed model provides a prototype for edge detection using electronic-optical techniques and artificial neural nets.