Orientation detection method and apparatus, and movement record computing apparatus

An orientation detection apparatus comprising:

• an inclined angle calculation unit that calculates a position of a portable device;
• an orientation computing unit that computes an orientation of the portable device based on the result in the detection of a direction of a orientation detection element outside of the portable device with a direction detection device that the portable device contains;
• and
• a relative angle calculation unit that decides a standard orientation of the portable device based on the calculation result of the orientation computing unit, and calculates an angle between the orientation of the portable device after the decision of the standard orientation and the standard orientation.

A movement record computing apparatus comprising:

• an orientation detection unit that determines a standard orientation of a portable device, and detects an angle between a present orientation of the portable device and the standard orientation;
• a step detection unit that detects the number of user's step;
• and
• a movement record computing unit that computes the movement record of the user based on the result of the detection by the orientation detection unit and the result of the detection by the step detection unit.