The invention is an image analysis system and method for grading of meat, predicting
quality of meat and/or predicting meat yield of an animal. One embodiment of the
invention is particularly designed to capture an image of the 12th rib
cross section of the ribeye and perform an image analysis of the ribeye for grading
purposes. The image capturing camera portion of the system has a wedged shaped
camera housing for ease of insertion into the ribbed incision. The image capturing
portion of the system further comprises a camera with a flash for consistent lighting.
The camera is positioned such that it views the ribeye cross section at an angle
to accommodate the wedge shape of the camera housing for ease of insertion in the
incision. The camera housing also has various alignment means to facilitate the
user's ability to capture images in a consistent manner. Once the image is captured
either digitally or captured and converted to a digital image, an image analysis
is performed on the digital image to determine parameters such as the percentage
lean, total area of the ribeye, total fat area, total lean area, percent marbling,
and thickness of fat adjacent to the ribeye, and other parameters. These parameters
are used to predict value determining traits of the carcass.
