IR detectors in the 850nm range have uses for for gases and such. But, I think you'd need an emiter as well in this situation..

Is POET going after this market? I hope we have some bigger fishes to fry.. but in theory, I imagine they could.

try searching google for "850nm IR detector gas" or something on those lines.

More info:

http://www.intlsensor.com/pdf/infrared.pdf

...

To answer your question more directly though, think of the detector being able to "see" anything in the 850nm IR range. I think it's less a question of software and more a question of what are the things visible in the 850nm IR range, whether it's a direct laser light or a gas that's visible in the 850nm range with the aid of an emiter.

If that makes sense? That's the way I understand it anyway..