MOHAMED SATHAK
A.J. COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
An Autonomous Institution
Approved by AICTE, New Delhi & Affiliated to Anna University, Chennai
Recognized by UGC 12(B) & 2(f) Act | An ISO: 9001-2015 Certified Institution | Accredited by NBA, NAAC with “A” Grade
LOCATION BASED LOST & FOUND
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
A PROJECT REPORT
Submitted by
MANIKANDAN J
SULAIMAN H
YAZAR ARAFATH A
in partial fulfilment for the award of the degree
of
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING
IN
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
DECEMBER 2024
1
BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE
Certified that this project report LOCATION BASED LOST & FOUND
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM is the Bonafide work of MANIKANDAN J,
SULAIMAN H, YAZAR ARAFATH A who carried out the project work under my
supervision.
SIGNATURE SIGNATURE
HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING COMPUTER SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING
2
ABSTRACT
The Location Based Lost & Found Management System is an innovative solution
aimed to connecting individuals who have found items with those who have lost. The
system offers a modern, reliable method to manage lost-and-found cases efficiently,
fostering community-driven support and reducing the stress associated with found
possessions. The frontend, developed using Angular, ensures a seamless and responsive
user interface, while the backend, powered by FastAPI, provides robust and efficient API
management.
The platform leverages MongoDB as its database to store and manage data, ensuring
scalability and flexibility in handling complex item records. Google Maps API integration
allows precise geolocation tagging, enhancing the likelihood of recovery. Users can submit
detailed reports of lost or found items, which are matched intelligently using location data
and descriptive keywords. Real-time notifications keep users updated on potential matches,
creating an interactive and engaging experience.
This platform promotes community-driven engagement, improves recovery rates through
intelligent matching and geolocation, and delivers a scalable, user-friendly solution to the
universal challenge of lost belongings.
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER NO. TITLE PAGE NO
ABSTRACT 3
1 INTRODUCTION 5
2 LITERATURE REVIEW 6
2.1 EXISTING SOLUTIONS 6
3 SYSTEM DESIGN 7
3.1 SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE 8
4 IMPLEMENTATION 9
5 CONCLUTION 11
4
1 INTRODUCTION
In the modern world, losing personal belongings like wallets, phones, keys, and other
valuable items is a frequent and stressful experience. While some people are fortunate
enough to have their items returned, many items remain unclaimed due to the lack of an
efficient and reliable system to connect those who lose items with those who find them.
Traditional methods, such as bulletin boards, community announcements, or social media
posts, are often ineffective due to the lack of organization, reach, and real-time updates.
With the rapid growth of technology, there is a need for a structured digital solution to
address this problem. A web-based platform designed specifically for reporting lost and
found items can streamline this process, improving the chances of items being returned to
their rightful owners. By incorporating modern tools such as location-based services and
real-time notifications, this system can make the lost-and-found process more efficient and
accessible.
The absence of an organized and reliable method for reporting and tracking lost and found
items often results in personal belongings not being returned to their owners. Existing
solutions lack systematic matching of lost and found reports, making the process
cumbersome and inefficient. There is a need for a user-friendly platform that can bridge the
gap between those who lose items and those who find them, facilitating easy
communication and quick resolution.
5
2 LITERATURE REVIEW
The issue of lost-and-found items has led to the creation of various solutions aimed
at helping people recover their belongings. However, many of these solutions are limited
by geographical boundaries, lack of effective communication tools, and inefficiencies in
tracking lost items. This literature review explores existing platforms and identifies gaps in
their functionality, which could be addressed by a modern, comprehensive web-based
solution.
2.1 EXISTING SOLUTIONS
2.1.1 ILEFTMYSTUFF
iLeftMyStuff is a service designed to help people who leave their belongings behind
in hotels or other accommodation facilities. The platform connects customers who have
lost items with hotel management who have found and stored those items. This service
streamlines the process by allowing customers to report missing items and connect directly
with the hotel staff. However, iLeftMyStuff is limited to the hospitality industry and does
not serve a wider range of locations, such as public spaces, transportation, or workplaces
2.1.2 LOST MY STUFF
Lost My Stuff is a volunteer-based service that helps people find lost metal items like rings,
watches, or necklaces outdoors. Volunteers with metal detectors assist for free, driven by a
desire to help others.
6
Users submit a Lost Item Report online, which is shared with nearby volunteers who
contact the person to plan a search. While effective, the service only works outdoors and
depends on quick reporting, especially in public places where items might be found by
others. The platform highlights the power of community efforts but could benefit from
modern technologies like geolocation or digital tools to improve efficiency and scalability.
2.1.3 LOST AND FOUND PERSONS
Developed by the Punjab Safe City Authority, the Lost and Found Persons app aims to help
locate individuals who are lost or missing. While this platform focuses on people rather
than personal items, it highlights the importance of having a digital platform for recovering
lost possessions or people. The app is primarily used by authorities and is specific to a
certain region (Punjab). This limits its scalability and applicability in other areas or
countries, which can be a challenge for users outside the app’s target region.
3 SYSTEM DESIGN
The system design for the proposed Lost and Found Platform outlines the
architecture, components, and flow of the platform. The design ensures an efficient, user-
friendly, and scalable platform that addresses the key requirements of users: reporting,
locating, and retrieving lost items. Below is an overview of the system's architecture,
components, and their interaction.
7
3.1 SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
The system is designed with a client-server architecture, consisting of a frontend
(user interface) and a backend (server-side processing). Communication between the client
and server will happen over HTTP/HTTPS protocols. The platform will utilize a RESTful
API for communication between the frontend and backend
The main components of the system are:
Frontend (User Interface)
Built using Angular, the frontend will be responsible for presenting the user interface,
handling user interactions, and communicating with the backend.
It will allow users to:
Register, login, and manage their profiles.
Post lost or found items with descriptions, images, and locations.
Search for lost and found items.
View maps and interact with the lost-and-found item listings.
Receive real-time notifications about matches or updates.
Backend (Server-Side Logic)
Built using FastAPI or Flask, the backend will handle the application logic, database
operations, and API responses.
Key functionalities include:
User authentication and profile management.
Item registration and search.
8
Matching of lost and found items based on description, category, and location.
Real-time notifications using WebSocket or Push Notifications.
Database interaction for storing user and item information.
Database
The platform will use Firebase Realtime Database or MongoDB to store:
User details (name, contact, etc.).
Lost and found item details (description, location, status, etc.).
The database will be structured in a hierarchical format for easy retrieval and management.
Google Maps API
Integrated into the frontend for displaying the locations of lost and found items on an
interactive map.
Users will be able to view the location of items in real time, making it easier to pinpoint
lost items.
4 IMPLEMENTATION
User Registration/Login:
Users sign up or log in to the platform to access features like posting and searching items.
Post Lost/Found Item:
9
Users fill out a form with details (item name, description, category, status, location) and
submit it.
The data is saved in the backend (MongoDB) and confirmed to the user.
Search for Items:
Users search for lost or found items based on criteria like status, location, and category.
The backend filters items and returns matching results.
Real-Time Notifications:
WebSocket sends notifications when a lost item matches a found item, alerting users about
potential matches.
Contact and Return Process:
Users can contact each other for item return via shared contact details.
Once the item is returned, both users mark it as "Returned" in the system.
Admin Management:
Admins can manage and moderate posts, removing outdated or inappropriate items.
Data Storage:
Firebase stores all data (user profiles, item posts) and syncs in real-time.
Google Maps Integration:
Locations of items are displayed on a map to help users find items near them.
10
Deployment:
The frontend (Angular) and backend (FastAPI) are deployed to cloud services for
scalability and easy access.
This process ensures a smooth, user-friendly experience for posting, searching, and
returning lost items.
5 CONCLUSION
The Lost and Found Platform offers a reliable and efficient solution for reconnecting lost
items with their rightful owners. By integrating modern technologies such as Firebase for
real-time data synchronization, FastAPI for backend services, and Angular for a dynamic
user interface, the platform provides a seamless user experience for both posting and
searching lost or found items.
The system allows users to easily register, post lost or found items, search for items based
on specific criteria, and contact other users for the return of lost possessions. Furthermore,
the use of real-time notifications ensures that users are immediately alerted when a
matching item is found, improving the chances of successful returns.
The inclusion of features like location-based search using Google Maps, and the efficient
backend for handling user data and item information, makes this platform scalable and
adaptable for broader use in various regions. Admin functionalities also ensure that the
platform remains well-maintained and free from outdated or inappropriate posts.
Overall, the Lost and Found Platform successfully addresses the problem of lost items,
enhancing the process of item recovery and reducing the hassle for individuals and
institutions alike. It is a practical tool that can be expanded and improved with additional
features such as a mobile app version or integration with other services.
11
