Monocular first-person-view (fpv) unmanned aircraft system (uas) control system and method

A monocular first-person-view (FPV) viewing system for controlling a remotely piloted vehicle with a camera configured to capture a live video feed comprising:

• a head-mounted display module with a monocular display configured to present the live video feed from the camera of the remotely piloted vehicle to a first viewing eye of an operator while leaving a second unobstructed eye of the operator unobstructed;
• the monocular display including a micro-display, whereby the head-mounted display module with the monocular display is contained within a compact lightweight housing mounted to a helmet, a headband, or a head-mounted frame, wherein, the head-mounted display module including an adjustable mounting arm configured to allow the head-mounted display module to be moved to either eye and to be moved out of a field of view of the operator without removing the system, wherein, the monocular first-person-view (FPV) viewing system is configured to enable rapid switching between FPV viewing and direct visual observation;
• the monocular display of the head-mounted display module includes the micro-display with an optical lens magnification assembly configured for enlarging and focusing the live video feed to the first viewing eye of the operator, wherein, the micro-display of the monocular display is a compact OLED display or an LCD display combined with the optical lens magnification assembly configured to enlarge and focus a perceived image;
• a power supply configured to provide power to a receiver module, a module adapter and the monocular display on the head-mounted display module, the power supply includes a battery pack mounted to a rear portion of the helmet, the headband, or the head-mounted frame wherein the rear-mounted battery pack is configured to counterbalance the head-mounted display module;
• the receiver module is configured to receive the live video feed from the camera on the remotely piloted vehicle, wherein:
• the receiver module receives analog FPV video data of the live video feed from the camera of the remotely piloted vehicle;
• the receiver module includes a receiver interface including a standardized 9-pin receiver module header;
• the receiver module operates within the 5.8 GHz frequency band;
• and
• wherein the receiver module is a Fatshark style FPV receiver module;
• the receiver module comprises a diversity receiver, wherein the diversity receiver selects between multiple interchangeable antennas connected through SMA or RP-SMA connectors, wherein the multiple interchangeable antennas are optimized for 5.8 GHz video transmission, wherein the interchangeable antennas include omnidirectional antennas, directional antennas, patch antennas, and other antenna types optimized for 5.8 GHz video transmission;
• the module adapter is configured to accept a video signal from the receiver module and send the video signal to the monocular display of the head-mounted display module, the module adapter including an adapter board configured to interface with the receiver module, wherein the adapter board includes a standardized 9-pin receiver header configured to accept analog first-person-video (FPV) receiver modules, the adapter board is configured to output analog video and audio through a 3.5 mm TRRS connector, wherein the adapter board routes analog video signals from the receiver module to the monocular display, the adapter board includes a voltage regulation circuitry configured to regulate input voltage from the power supply for operation of the receiver module, wherein the adapter board provides regulated power to the monocular display of the head-mounted display module, the adapter board receives the power from a lithium-polymer battery providing approximately 7.4 volts output, wherein the voltage regulation circuitry of the adapter board is configured to supply approximately 5 volts to the monocular display of the head-mounted display module, wherein, the adapter board including a power input capable of accepting the power from the lithium-polymer battery or another DC source, wherein the adapter board including an optional power switch and configurable solder pads for configuration of the system;
• the live video feed presented on the monocular display including on-screen-display (OSD) data received from the remotely piloted vehicle, wherein the on-screen-display (OSD) data is embedded in the live video feed received by the receiver module from the remotely piloted vehicle, wherein the on-screen-display (OSD) data presented with the live video feed on the monocular display including a telemetry overlays embedded in the live video feed including battery life, a timer, and global positioning coordinates (GPS) of the remotely piloted vehicle;
• wherein, the receiver module is configured to generate a signal strength (RSSI) indicator of link quality, wherein the signal strength (RSSI) indicator is included in the on-screen-display (OSD) data displayed on the monocular display;
• wherein, when the operator is controlling the remotely piloted vehicle via a control transmitter while viewing the live video feed with the first viewing eye through the monocular display, the operator maintains situational awareness through the second unobstructed eye including maintaining visual line-of-sight of the remotely piloted vehicle;
• and
• wherein the monocular first-person-view (FPV) viewing system is configured to allow the operator to maintain both hands on the control transmitter while seamlessly alternating visual focus between the live video feed and direct observation of the remotely piloted vehicle or environment.

A method for controlling a remotely piloted vehicle with a camera configured to capture a live video feed while maintaining situational awareness comprising:

• providing a monocular first-person-view (FPV) viewing system for controlling the remotely piloted vehicle comprising:
• a head-mounted display module with a monocular display configured to present the live video feed from the camera of the remotely piloted vehicle to a first viewing eye of an operator while leaving a second unobstructed eye of the operator unobstructed;
• a receiver module configured to receive the live video feed from the camera on the remotely piloted vehicle;
• a module adapter configured to accept a video signal from the receiver module and send the video signal to the monocular display of the head-mounted display module;
• and
• a power supply configured to provide power to the receiver module, the module adapter and the monocular display on the head-mounted display module;
• positioning the monocular display to the first viewing eye of the operator;
• maintaining the second unobstructed eye of the operator unobstructed;
• and
• simultaneously viewing the live video feed in the first viewing eye and a visual line-of-sight of the remotely piloted vehicle or an environment in the second unobstructed eye.