Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing loins from pork bellies to result in a high yield of loin in a two-step method, the first step involving the removal of the loin and the second step involving the skinning of the loin portion removed. A unique knife shaped in the form of a Z is used to cut all the way through the belly. Once complete, the skin from the belly remains on the loin and is subsequently run through a loin skinner in a controlled cutting process that significantly reduces the chance of cutting below the loin fat and into the muscle.

Abstract: A method and system for tracking and identifying food products as they are being processed is disclosed, wherein no tags or encodings are attached to the food products, and wherein there is no extraneous manipulation of the food products. The tracking system of the present invention utilizes sensor input from substantially any sensor capable of detecting a food product in some manner. That is, the tracking system uses binary detect/no detect inputs for determining whether a food product can be identified at each sensor along a predetermined path. Thus, given that a food product has been identified at a particular sensor, the tracking system generates an hypothesis indicative of when the food product is expected to be at the next sensor along the predetermined path. Accordingly, if the next sensor detects a food product within an allotted window, then the food product detected is assumed to be the one to which the hypothesis applies.

Abstract: Apparatus for examining carcasses on a slaughter line, in which an ultrasound transducer comes into contact with a surface of the carcasses. The ultrasound transducer is adapted to be mounted immovably on a stationary frame of the slaughter line so that as the carcass transport mechanism of the slaughter line moves the carcasses across the ultrasound transducer, the carcasses rest on the ultrasound transducer with a considerable part of their weight.

Abstract: A method of area localization of a piece of meat, in particular fish, which is initially subjected to illumination. To perform automated localization of the exact position of various occurrences as well as meat texture, the piece of meat is illuminated in a predetermined patterm to provide contour information, which is recorded in a direction different from the illumination direction, said contour information being then used for providing additional information on the nature and the exact position of occurrences within the contour of the piece of meat.

Abstract: Method for quality control of meat products, especially fish flesh, with regard to the presence of worms. The product to be subjected to quality control, or a sample thereof, is exposed to electromagnetic radiation within the range of about 800-1800 nm, and the irradiation transmitted through said product or sample as a result of this irradiation, is analyzed for identification of characteristic absorption by worms in said product or sample.

Abstract: In a method of detecting meat texture the surface of the meat is illuminated in at least two directions which are substantially perpendicular to a base for the meat in a common illumination plane. A loose texture manifests itself in deep cracks (8, 9, 10) in e.g. the fillet of fish. When the surface of the fillet is illuminated in the directions (11 and 12), the depressions (8, 9, 10) bring about such a great contrast in the recording of an image of the surface that the image information can be processed electronically and be utilized for control of equipment, either for rejection of the fillet or for cutting away the damaged areas.