# Messaging System (User & Admin Interface)
## Lost and Found Management System

# Overview

The messaging system is a core feature of the Lost and Found Management System that allows communication between users and administrators.

It is a **single messaging system** with **role-based access**, meaning both users and admins use the same backend but have different interfaces and permissions.

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# System Concept

- One messaging database
- One conversation system
- Two different dashboards (User & Admin)
- Role-based access control

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# 👤 USER SIDE MESSAGING SYSTEM

## Sidebar Menu (User Dashboard)

```
Dashboard
Lost Items
Found Items
Messages 💬
My Conversations
Report Center 🚨
Profile
Logout
```

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## User Messaging Features

Users can:
- Chat with other users (owner ↔ finder)
- Message admin for help
- View conversation history
- Send and receive messages
- Report conversations or users
- Receive notifications

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## User Messaging Flow

### 1. User-to-User Chat
- Finder messages item owner
- Discuss item details
- Arrange return or pickup

### 2. User-to-Admin Chat
- Ask for help about claims
- Submit verification requests
- Report issues

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## User Chat Interface Features

- Messenger-style layout
- Conversation list (left sidebar)
- Chat window (right side)
- Message bubbles
- Timestamp display
- Seen / unseen status
- Mobile responsive design

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# 🛠️ ADMIN SIDE MESSAGING SYSTEM

## Sidebar Menu (Admin Dashboard)

```
Dashboard
Users Management
Lost & Found Items
Messages 💬
Claim Assistance 🏷️
Reported Conversations 🚨
System Reports
Settings
Logout
```

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## Admin Messaging Features

Admins can:
- Communicate with users
- Assist in item claiming process
- Respond to inquiries
- View reported conversations
- Moderate suspicious chats
- Help in surrendered item processing

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## Admin Messaging Flow

### 1. User Support Chat
- User asks help
- Admin responds and guides

### 2. Claim Assistance Chat
- Item surrendered to admin
- Admin communicates with rightful owner
- Admin verifies ownership

### 3. Reported Conversations
- User reports a chat/user
- Admin reviews conversation
- Admin takes action if needed

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## Admin Chat Interface Features

- Multi-user inbox
- Conversation filtering
- Reported chat section
- Claim assistance panel
- Full conversation view (when allowed)
- User details preview
- Moderation tools (delete, ban, warn)

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# 🔐 ROLE-BASED ACCESS CONTROL

| Feature | User | Admin |
|--------|------|-------|
| User-to-user chat | ✔ | ✔ (view if needed) |
| User-to-admin chat | ✔ | ✔ |
| View all conversations | ❌ | ✔ (restricted/report-based optional) |
| Report access | ✔ | ✔ |
| Message moderation | ❌ | ✔ |

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# 📊 DATABASE STRUCTURE (Core Idea)

## Conversations Table

```sql
CREATE TABLE conversations (
    id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    item_id INT DEFAULT NULL,
    type ENUM('user_user','user_admin','admin_assisted') DEFAULT 'user_user',
    created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);
```

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## Messages Table

```sql
CREATE TABLE messages (
    id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    conversation_id INT NOT NULL,
    sender_id INT NOT NULL,
    receiver_id INT NOT NULL,
    message TEXT NOT NULL,
    seen_status ENUM('seen','unseen') DEFAULT 'unseen',
    created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);
```

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## Reports Table

```sql
CREATE TABLE reports (
    id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    reporter_id INT NOT NULL,
    reported_user_id INT NOT NULL,
    conversation_id INT NOT NULL,
    reason TEXT NOT NULL,
    status ENUM('pending','reviewed') DEFAULT 'pending',
    created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);
```

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# 🔄 SYSTEM FLOW SUMMARY

## User Side
1. Login
2. Go to Messages
3. Select conversation
4. Chat with user or admin
5. Report if needed

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## Admin Side
1. Login
2. Open Messages
3. View user chats or reported chats
4. Assist claims or inquiries
5. Moderate if necessary

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# 🧠 KEY IDEA

This system uses:
- One messaging backend
- Two interfaces (User & Admin)
- Role-based permissions
- Report-based moderation

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# ⭐ ADVANTAGES

- Clean system architecture
- Secure communication
- Privacy-focused design
- Easy admin control
- Scalable for future features
- Professional capstone implementation

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# 📌 CONCLUSION

The Messaging System in the Lost and Found Management System provides a secure and organized communication platform for both users and administrators. By separating interfaces while using a single backend system, it ensures efficiency, privacy, and proper moderation of all interactions.