Moveable platen in document handling systems for an automated teller machine

An automated teller machine, comprising:

• a cartridge that stores a document;
• a first document delivery system that transports the document from the cartridge to a document analysis area via a first transport path;
• a second document delivery system that transports the document from the document analysis area to a bin via a second transport path or an opening of the automated teller machine via a third transport path;
• the document analysis area further includes:
• a cartridge side platen and a belt side platen opposite thereof positioned to create a channel for the document to travel through, the channel having an entrance and an exit opposite thereof, wherein the entrance has a width to receive the document,
• wherein the cartridge side platen and belt side platen include an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion sloping at an angle relative to the upper portion, the lower portion having a lower edge and a central edge section that extends generally laterally along the lower edge, the lower edge further comprising a first and second end edge sections tapering from the central edge section toward the upper portion opposite one another,
• wherein the first and second end edge sections of the belt side platen further include a flange extending from the first and second end edge sections toward a rear face of the belt side platen;
• a cartridge side scan component partly incorporated into the cartridge side platen and a belt side scan component partly incorporated into the belt side platen, wherein the scan components are inserted into a generally longitudinally extending channel between the upper portion and the lower portion of the platen;
• the cartridge side scan component is configured to capture an image of a first side of the document;
• the belt side scan component is configured to capture an image of a second side opposite the first side of the document;
• and
• at least one of the cartridge side platen or the belt side platen configured to be movable to increase the width of the entrance.

An automated teller machine, comprising:

• a cartridge that stores a document;
• a first document delivery system that transports the document from the cartridge to a document analysis area via a first transport path;
• a second document delivery system that transports the document from the document analysis area to a bin via a second transport path or an opening of the automated teller machine via a third transport path;
• the document analysis area further includes:
• a cartridge side platen and a belt side platen opposite thereof positioned to create a channel for the document to travel through, the channel having an entrance and an exit opposite thereof, wherein the entrance has a width to receive the document,
• wherein the cartridge side platen and belt side platen include an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion sloping at an angle relative to the upper portion, the lower portion having a lower edge and a central edge section that extends generally laterally along the lower edge, the lower edge further comprising a first and second end edge sections tapering from the central edge section toward the upper portion opposite one another,
• wherein the first and second end edge sections of the belt side platen further include a flange extending from the first and second end edge sections toward a rear face of the belt side platen;
• a cartridge side scan component partly incorporated into the cartridge side platen and a belt side scan component partly incorporated into the belt side platen, wherein the scan components are inserted into a generally longitudinally extending channel between the upper portion and the lower portion of the platen;
• the cartridge side scan component is configured to capture an image of a first side of the document;
• the belt side scan component is configured to capture an image of a second side opposite the first side of the document;
• and
• a spring mechanism coupled to the belt side platen that provides resistance to maintain a first position for the width of the channel, wherein an increase in a thickness of the document applies a force to the belt side platen, wherein the force moves the belt side platen to a second position to increase the width of the channel.