Patent ID: 8924659

Claim:
A storage apparatus comprising: a plurality of flash packages, each of the plurality of flash packages including a plurality of flash memory chips for storing data and a flash controller configured to control an operation of the plurality of flash memory chips; and a storage controller configured to send a read/write command to the plurality of flash packages, wherein the storage controller is configured to send a querying command before sending the read/write command to a first flash package of the plurality of flash packages, wherein in response to receiving the querying command, a first flash controller of the first flash package makes a determination whether the first as controller has executed a garbage collection or not and sends a reply command indicating whether or not permission is granted to send the read/write command based on the determination, and wherein the storage controller waits to send the read/write command to the first flash package until the storage controller receives the reply command indicating permission is granted to send the read/write command.