Lost & Found Items Finder Application
ABSTRACT
The “Lost & Found Items Finder” is a application designed to streamline the process of reporting and finding lost and found items. This platform allows users to register and login, post detailed reports of lost or found items, and search through existing entries to locate their belongings. Users can filter search results by category, location, and date to quickly find relevant items. The application enables users to claim found items by contacting the finder and submitting a formal claim request. Admins have the ability to monitor and manage the reported items, ensuring that the listings are appropriate and valid. They can also view user accounts and take necessary actions to maintain the platform’s integrity. The application includes a user feedback system, allowing users to share their experiences and suggest improvements. With a user-friendly interface and efficient backend management, the Lost & Found Items Finder application aims to provide a reliable solution for reuniting individuals with their lost belongings and assisting finders in returning found items.Lost & Found Items Finder Application
System Specifications:
- Hardware Requirements:-
Processor : Intel3
Installed memory (RAM) : 4 GB
Hard Disk : 500 GB
Operating System : Windows
Software Requirements: –
Front End: HTML5, CSS3, Bootstrap
Back End: PHP 8.1, MYSQL
Control End: Angular Java Script
PHP Tools:
Xampp 3.3 64 bit
Visual Studio Code
Android Tools:
IDE: Android Studio
Android Emulator
xampp-win64-8.1
System Modules:
Admin
– Login
– View User Accounts
– View Claim Request Lost & Found Item
- Verify Claim – Approve or Reject
– Logout
User
– Registration
– Login
– Post Lost Item
– Item details (name, category, description, location, date lost, image upload)
– Post Found Item
– Item details (name, category, description, location, date found, image upload)
– Search Items
– Filter by category, location, date
– View item details
– Claim Request – (Name,mobile, proof image*)
– Submit claim request
– My claim request status
– View My Posts
– Lost items posted
– Found items posted
– Update/Delete posts
– Post Feedback
– My Profile
– Update profile details
– Change password
– Logout
Existing System:
In the existing offline method for lost and found items, individuals typically rely on a manual search process. When someone loses an item, they usually visit local places such as police stations, community centers, or message boards to report the item as lost. Similarly, when someone finds an item, they may go to similar physical locations to report the found item. People also rely on word-of-mouth, community groups, or local newspapers to spread the word about lost or found items.
Disadvantages of the Existing System
Time-Consuming:
- Searching for lost items and reporting them through manual methods is extremely time-consuming, as individuals must physically visit multiple locations and follow up with different departments or community boards.
Limited Accessibility:
- The system is restricted to specific locations and communities. People outside these areas may not have access to relevant lost-and-found information. This can result in missed opportunities to reunite lost items with their owners.
Lack of Real-Time Updates:
- In the offline system, there are no real-time notifications or updates about lost and found items. Updates are typically given when someone visits the location in person, leading to delays in the claim process.
Risk of Miscommunication:
- There is a high chance of miscommunication in the manual system, especially when individuals report or claim lost items via word-of-mouth or physical notices. This can lead to confusion or errors in identifying the rightful owner of the found item.
Limited Search Criteria:
- The offline method does not provide any sophisticated filtering options to search for lost and found items. People must rely on basic physical description and word-of-mouth communication, which can be inefficient.
Proposed System:
The Lost & Found Items Finder is a web-based platform designed to streamline and modernize the process of reporting and locating lost and found items. The proposed system provides a centralized, user-friendly interface that allows individuals to post detailed information about lost or found items, search for relevant items, and claim them efficiently. The system facilitates communication between users and enhances the speed and accuracy of item recovery.
Advantages of the Proposed System
Centralized Database:
- Unlike the offline method, the proposed system centralizes all lost and found items in one accessible platform. This ensures that users can quickly search for and access items from any location with internet access.
Time Efficiency:
- Users can report lost or found items and search for items from the comfort of their home or on the go. This eliminates the need for physical visits to local authorities or bulletin boards, saving valuable time for all parties involved.
Real-Time Updates & Notifications:
- The system provides real-time notifications for users about updates to their posts, claim statuses, or messages from other users. This keeps the process moving smoothly and ensures that users are always informed about their items.
Advanced Search & Filtering:
- With advanced search options based on categories, locations, and dates, users can efficiently find the specific lost or found items they are looking for. This reduces the time spent sifting through irrelevant results.
Wide Accessibility:
- The web-based application is accessible from any device with an internet connection, making it easy for people in different geographical locations to access and participate in the process, unlike the offline method which is limited to local areas.
Increased Security & Privacy:
- The platform ensures that all user data and communication are securely managed, protecting privacy. Users can directly contact others through the system without sharing personal information, preventing potential misuse.
Efficient Claim Process:
- The system formalizes the claim process, enabling users to contact the finder directly and submit formal claim requests. This reduces confusion and ensures the rightful owner gets their item back.
Admin Control & Moderation:
- Admins can easily manage and monitor all items posted on the platform, ensuring that all listings are valid, appropriate, and not fraudulent. This ensures the integrity and reliability of the system.
Feedback & Continuous Improvement:
- The user feedback system allows the platform to improve continuously. User suggestions and complaints can be addressed, resulting in a better overall experience for everyone using the platform.
CONCLUSIONS
The Lost & Found Items Finder application offers a modern, efficient, and user-friendly solution to the traditional offline method of reporting and recovering lost and found items. By leveraging digital technology, the platform simplifies the entire process, allowing users to easily report lost or found items, search for relevant entries, and claim items in a secure and timely manner. The system’s real-time notifications, advanced search options, and centralized database significantly improve the user experience, reducing the time and effort required to locate and recover lost belongings. Additionally, the admin’s ability to monitor and moderate content ensures that the platform remains secure and trustworthy. Overall, the Lost & Found Items Finder offers a much-needed upgrade to the outdated offline process, providing a more accessible, transparent, and effective way for individuals to reunite with their lost items.
Future Enhancements
- Mobile App Integration:
- To make the platform even more accessible, a dedicated mobile application can be developed for both Android and iOS devices. This would allow users to report and search for lost items on the go, making the service available at any time and from any location.
- Geolocation-Based Search:
- Implementing a geolocation feature could help users narrow their search based on their current location. This would make it easier for users to find lost or found items nearby, improving the chances of successful item recovery.
- AI-Based Item Matching:
- Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) for automatic item matching could speed up the process of finding lost items. The system could compare the descriptions and images of reported items and suggest possible matches to users, increasing the chances of reuniting items with their owners.
- Smart Notifications:
- Future enhancements could include smarter notification systems that send alerts based on proximity, item similarity, or specific user preferences. This would ensure that users are notified about relevant items in real time.
- Enhanced User Verification:
- To ensure the accuracy and legitimacy of claims, adding a user verification process (such as through email or phone number authentication) would help further secure the platform and reduce fraudulent claims.
- Item Status Tracking:
- A feature that allows users to track the status of their lost or found items could provide more transparency. This could include updates on whether the item has been claimed, the status of the claim request, or when it was last seen.
- Community-Driven Verification:
- Allowing users to rate and verify the authenticity of found items and claim requests could improve trust in the system. A reputation system for users could be added, where high-rated users (finders and claimants) are trusted more for their actions.
- Multi-Language Support:
- Expanding the platform to support multiple languages would allow individuals from diverse regions to use the platform comfortably, increasing its global reach and utility.
- Integration with Local Authorities:
- Collaborating with local police stations or lost-and-found departments to integrate their data into the platform could ensure that official reports are also listed and easily accessible for the community, enhancing the accuracy and trustworthiness of the platform.