Integrated mobile parking application and smart parking meter system

A method of parking event monitoring where a user parks a vehicle in one of a first parking space or a second parking space, the method comprising:

• providing a first parking meter installed adjacent to the first parking space, the first parking meter comprising:
• a weather resistant housing;
• a processor disposed inside of the housing;
• a memory disposed inside of the housing and coupled to the processor;
• a network interface disposed in the housing and coupled to the processor;
• a camera coupled to the processor and aimed towards the first parking space;
• providing a second parking meter installed adjacent to the second parking space, the second parking meter comprising:
• a weather resistant housing;
• a processor disposed inside of the housing;
• a memory disposed inside of the housing and coupled to the processor;
• a network interface disposed in the housing and coupled to the processor;
• a camera coupled to the processor and aimed towards the second parking space;
• networking the first and second parking meters with a central computing system;
• networking a user computing device with the first and second parking meters and the central computing system;
• transmitting by the user computing device a request for parking time to the respective first parking meter or the second parking meter which corresponds to the one of the first or second parking spaces where the user parked the vehicle;
• receiving by the user computing device from the first or second parking meter, or from the central computing system, a purchase confirmation;
• and
• monitoring by the user computing device a remaining purchased parking time which is synchronized to a parking time countdown timer of the respective first or the second parking meter that corresponds to the one of the first or second parking spaces where the vehicle is parked.