An infrared communication device, which is a bidirectional infrared communication device having light receiving and emitting elements (D12,D11) that are integral with each other, comprising: a time counter (47) which, based on the fact that no level variation takes place in a transmitted signal (44) during a predetermined period, detects completion of the transmitted signal, and allows a receiving device (D12,A1,A2,46) to restore its sensitivity.