City parking services with area based loyalty programs

A method in server including a processor, a memory and a network communication interface comprising:

• receiving, via the network communication interface;
• parking sensor information from a plurality of parking sensors;
• sending, via the network communication interface, locations of available parking to mobile devices including a first mobile device;
• receiving, via the network communication interface, first parking transaction information associated with a purchase of parking for a first time period and a unique identifier associated with the first mobile device;
• receiving, via the network communication interface from a first electronic device, a first unique activity code, validation information and the unique identifier associated with the first mobile device wherein the first electronic device is configured to i) generate the first unique activity code and the validation information;
• ii) wirelessly communicate, over a short distance, unique activity codes and the validation information to mobile devices including the first unique activity code to the first mobile device and iii) receive, wirelessly, over the short distance, the unique identifier associated the first mobile device wherein the short distance is within a maximum range of communication of 4 centimeters;
• based upon the unique identifier associated with the first mobile device, identifying a first user account from among a plurality of user accounts;
• based upon the first unique activity code, determining whether a parking activity occurred during the time period;
• based upon the validation information;
• determining whether the first electronic device is authentic;
• and
• when it is determined the parking activity occurred during the time period and the first electronic device is authentic, determining a parking reward associated with the first user account.