Electronic device and method of estimating blood flow information using the same

A method of estimating blood flow information by an electronic device, the method comprising:

• controlling a heat source to generate heat while the electronic device is in contact with a user;
• measuring temperatures by using a pair of first temperature sensors horizontally spaced apart from each other at two opposing sides of the heat source, and a pair of second temperature sensors vertically spaced apart from the pair of first temperature sensors in a thickness direction of the electronic device;
• estimating a blood temperature difference between the two opposing sides of the heat source, based on the temperatures measured by the pair of first temperature sensors and the pair of second temperature sensors;
• and
• estimating blood flow information of the user based on the blood temperature difference.

A patch-type sensor comprising:

• a contact pad configured to make contact with a skin surface;
• a heat source configured to apply heat to the skin surface when the contact pad makes contact with the skin surface;
• a pair of first temperature sensors horizontally spaced apart from each other at two opposing sides of the heat source;
• a pair of second temperature sensors vertically spaced apart from the pair of first temperature sensors in a depth direction of the patch-type sensor, and
• a communication interface configured to transmit temperature data, measured by the pair of first temperature sensors and the pair of the second temperature sensors, to an external electronic device, to enable the external electronic device to obtain blood flow information by estimating a blood temperature difference based on the temperature data.