Selection of sensors for monitoring phenomena considering the value of information and data sharing preferences

A computing device in network communication with a first mobile computing device and a second mobile computing device, the computing device comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory that comprises a plurality of components that are executed by the processor, the plurality of components comprising:
• a receiver component that receives a value of information for obtaining a sensor reading from a sensor on the first mobile computing device;
• a requestor component that transmits a request for the sensor reading to the first computing device based upon the value of information;
• an updater component that, responsive to the requester component transmitting the request for the sensor reading, receives the sensor reading from the sensor on the first mobile computing device;
• and
• an interface generator component that transmits graphical data to the second mobile computing device, the graphical data based upon the sensor reading received from the first mobile computing device.

A computer-readable data storage device comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform acts comprising:

• receiving a value of information for obtaining a sensor reading from a first smart phone, the sensor reading indicative of at least one of a location of the first smart phone, a velocity of the first smart phone, and an acceleration of the first smart phone;
• based upon the value of information, transmitting a request to the first smart phone for the sensor reading;
• responsive to transmitting the request, receiving the sensor reading from the first smart phone;
• updating traffic flow information for a road segment in a traffic system based upon the sensor reading received from the first smart phone;
• and
• responsive to updating the traffic flow information, transmitting the traffic flow information for the road segment to a second mobile computing device.