Patent Number: 12699797
Title: Catalog service configuration based on a privilege model and two-way synchronization | Company: Snowflake Inc.
Managing data access across expansive cloud databases requires precise and efficient coordination. The invention detailed in this patent addresses the complex challenges of workload distribution, latency, and access configuration in distributed database systems. By utilizing a catalog manager that evaluates a user request against principal roles, catalog roles, and a set of hierarchical data objects, the system can determine access privileges with high accuracy. This two-way synchronization and privilege model significantly streamline the administration of data access, reducing the time and computational overhead previously required to synchronize multiple tables and secure cloud repositories.
Montana State Patent of the Month: September 2026
This development was recently awarded the Patent of the Month for the Montana state for the month of September 2026 granted by Swanson Reed. With Snowflake Inc. maintaining a principal executive office in Bozeman, Montana, this local recognition highlights the practical value of their technological contributions. The patent won this award because its structured approach to catalog service synchronization represents a tangible improvement in cloud data architecture. By replacing time consuming manual configurations with an automated role based hierarchy, the invention directly enhances both data security and operational efficiency. These are essential factors that Swanson Reed consistently evaluates when recognizing significant technological advancements.
Eligibility for R&D Tax Credits in the USA
The practical applications of this patent present strong opportunities for claiming the Research and Development tax credit in the USA. Developing the software architecture required to implement two-way synchronization and dynamic privilege evaluation involves systematic experimentation and the resolution of technical uncertainties. Engineering teams must design, test, and refine algorithms that can handle high volume user requests without introducing latency or compromising security protocols. Because these activities rely heavily on the principles of computer science to create improved software functionalities, the associated developmental costs, such as engineering wages and cloud testing resources, are generally eligible for R&D tax incentives. Companies applying similar methodologies to solve complex data management challenges can leverage these credits to reinvest in future technological improvements.
