An apparatus and method for detecting battery removal, battery absence, and/or
defective battery condition for use with battery charging and testing systems is
provided. The apparatus includes a regulator, feedback module, controller, and
detector module. The regulator and feedback module supply a regulated charging
signal to a battery. The controller interrupts the feedback module so as to cause
the regulator to suspend supplying the charging signal to the battery, which in
turn, allows the charging signal to discharge for a predetermined period of time.
During the predetermined period, the detector module detects whether the charging
signal discharges below a predetermined threshold. When the charging signal discharges
below the predetermined threshold, the detector module detects one or more conditions
that indicate that the battery cannot be charged. These conditions include conditions
that indicate that the battery is absent, missing, and/or defective.
