FindIT: A Smart Lost and Found Management System
Team
- E/23/431, Dulmina Weerasinghe, e23431@eng.pdn.ac.lk
- E/23/149, Livindu Jayasinghe, e23149@eng.pdn.ac.lk
- E/23/382, Lihini Silva, e23382@eng.pdn.ac.lk
- E/23/274, Thenuk Piyathilake, e23274@eng.pdn.ac.lk
Table of Contents
Introduction
In busy shared environments like universities, losing personal items—such as keys, electronics, or wallets—is a common and stressful occurrence. Currently, recovery relies on fragmented methods like physical notice boards, verbal inquiries, or unorganized social media posts. This lack of a central system leads to low recovery rates and high frustration.
FindIT is a digital solution designed to bridge this gap. It provides a centralized, privacy-first platform where users can report lost or found items through structured questionnaires. By using intelligent matching logic and a “gradual disclosure” communication model, FindIT ensures that items are returned to their rightful owners securely and efficiently, reducing the cognitive burden on both students and campus security.
Solution Architecture
FindIT is built on a web-based architecture that connects three main entities: the Loser, the Finder, and the System Administrator.
- Reporting Layer: Captures detailed item descriptions.
- Matching Engine: A decision-support layer that suggests potential matches based on item attributes.
- Secure Messaging: A controlled channel for users to verify ownership without exposing sensitive contact details prematurely.
Software Designs
The system is designed with a focus on data privacy and user empathy. Key components include:
- User Personas: Detailed workflows for stressed “Losers” and helpful “Finders.”
- Database Schema: Optimized for attribute-based searching and matching.
- Security protocols: Implementing visibility controls to prevent fraudulent claims.
Testing
Testing will focus on:
- Matching Accuracy: Ensuring the algorithm correctly identifies similar items while minimizing false positives.
- Privacy Guardrails: Verifying that no personal data is exposed during the initial search phase.
- Usability: Testing the interface responsiveness under simulated “stressful” user scenarios.
Conclusion
FindIT aims to transform the lost-and-found experience from a game of chance into a reliable, automated service. Beyond simple matching, the software creates a safer campus environment by providing data-driven insights into common loss areas and ensuring a high success rate for item recovery.