How Systems Get Approval for Accessing Dependent Resources
This patent describes a system for streamlining access approvals to a resource by automatically linking its approval process to another resource it depends on.
Original patent title: “Determining approval workflows for obtaining approvals to access resources”
This patent describes a system for streamlining access approvals to a resource by automatically linking its approval process to another resource it depends on. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The system receives a request from an "access agent" to use a "first resource". It then checks if this "first resource" relies on a "second resource" by looking at a "dependency attribute". If there's a dependency, the system creates an "approval requisition" for the "first resource" but uses the "approval workflow" that belongs to the "second resource". The system then follows this linked workflow to get the necessary approval, allowing the access agent to use the first resource. For example, if a user needs access to a specific database (first resource) that relies on a particular server (second resource), the system might use the server's existing approval process to grant access to the database.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover systems that request approval for a resource without first identifying a dependency on a second resource.
- Does not cover systems that generate an approval request for a first resource using a workflow entirely separate from any dependent second resource.
- Does not cover systems where the resource dependency is determined without using a "dependency attribute" linked to the first resource.
- Does not cover systems where the access agent directly accesses the first resource without the system first obtaining approval by traversing a workflow.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in automatically determining resource dependencies and then leveraging the approval workflow of a dependent resource to streamline the approval for the requested resource. This avoids creating redundant workflows.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Cloud resource access management
Enterprise software permission systems
Database access control
IT infrastructure access requests
Why it matters
The bigger picture
In large organizations, managing access to numerous digital resources can be complex and time-consuming. This patent aims to simplify this by automating the linking of approval processes for interdependent resources. This could reduce manual effort and potential errors in granting access, especially in environments with many interconnected systems and data.
Filed
April 19, 2024
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Major cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform are constantly refining their Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems. Enterprise software companies such as Okta, SailPoint, and Ping Identity also focus on advanced access governance solutions that manage complex resource permissions.
Market impact
This type of system enhances efficiency in IT operations by automating complex access approval chains. It helps reduce the overhead associated with manual permission granting, which is a significant challenge for large enterprises managing vast digital estates. This approach can contribute to more secure and compliant access management practices.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The system receives a request from an "access agent" to use a "first resource". It then checks if this "first resource" relies on a "second resource" by looking at a "dependency attribute". If there's a dependency, the system creates an "approval requisition" for the "first resource" but uses the "approval workflow" that belongs to the "second resource". The system then follows this linked workflow to get the necessary approval, allowing the access agent to use the first resource. For example, if a user needs access to a specific database (first resource) that relies on a particular server (second resource), the system might use the server's existing approval process to grant access to the database.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in automatically determining resource dependencies and then leveraging the approval workflow of a dependent resource to streamline the approval for the requested resource. This avoids creating redundant workflows.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover systems that request approval for a resource without first identifying a dependency on a second resource.
- Does not cover systems that generate an approval request for a first resource using a workflow entirely separate from any dependent second resource.
- Does not cover systems where the resource dependency is determined without using a "dependency attribute" linked to the first resource.
- Does not cover systems where the access agent directly accesses the first resource without the system first obtaining approval by traversing a workflow.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$17K – $54K
Midpoint $34K · 17.5 yr remaining · industry ×1.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). How Systems Get Approval for Accessing Dependent Resources (U.S. Patent No. 12,739,252). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12739252/determining-approval-workflows-for-obtaining-approvals-to-access-resources
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Systems Get Approval for Accessing Dependent Resources cover?
This patent describes a system for streamlining access approvals to a resource by automatically linking its approval process to another resource it depends on.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
In large organizations, managing access to numerous digital resources can be complex and time-consuming. This patent aims to simplify this by automating the linking of approval processes for interdependent resources. This could reduce manual effort and potential errors in granting access, especially in environments with many interconnected systems and data.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover systems that request approval for a resource without first identifying a dependency on a second resource.
Patent monitoring