Mobile Wallet Alternate Currency Selection via Segmentation

The patent segments the payment data structure by separating payment token information from customer preference information. The payment token container holds transaction-specific data, while customer preferences (including alternate payment currency selections) are stored separately in customer profile data. This segmentation allows third-party wallets to maintain their existing transaction processing while adding preference flexibility without increasing overall system complexity.

The patent introduces a merchant host as an intermediary that receives both the payment token container from the mobile device and customer preference data, then combines them during transaction processing. The merchant host acts as a mediator that integrates the rigid third-party wallet system with flexible customer preferences, allowing alternate payment currencies to be applied without modifying the wallet application itself.

The patent implements preliminary action by storing customer preference data, including alternate payment currency selections, in advance in the customer profile before the actual transaction occurs. The mobile application retrieves these pre-stored preferences during the transaction and includes them in the payment request to the merchant host. This eliminates the need for complex real-time processing of preference selections during the transaction itself.

The patent creates a universal payment token container structure that can accommodate multiple types of payment instruments and alternate currencies through a standardized format. The same token container and communication protocol work for traditional payments, points-based payments, and other alternate currencies, allowing the system to handle diverse payment types without increasing processing complexity for each specific case.