Robust computer vision system for marbling meat segmentation

In this study, we developed a robust automatic computer vision system for marbling meat segmentation. Our approach can segment muscle fat in various marbled meat samples using images acquired with different quality devices in an uncontrolled environment, where there was external ambient light and artificial light; thus, professionals can apply this method without specialized knowledge in terms of sample treatments or equipment, as well as without disruption to normal procedures, thereby obtaining a robust solution. The proposed approach for marbling segmentation is based on data clustering and dynamic thresholding. Experiments were performed using two datasets that comprised 82 images of 41 longissimus dorsi muscles acquired by different sampling devices. The experimental results showed that the computer vision system performed well with over 98% accuracy and a low number of false positives, regardless of the acquisition device employed.