There is no way in software to determine if a webcam is sensitive to infrared, unless you have a separate computer controlled IR emitter which is visible to the camera.
The aspects of a webcam that determine it's infrared sensitivity are both hardware, and non-electronic, which renders them completely invisible from the computers perspective.
The only exception I can think of to this is a webcam which specifically advertises itself as being IR sensitive, in which case you could do an online lookup based off the VID and PID to find the model, and look at it's specifications.
To be specific, the optical component responsible for blocking IR is a hot mirror.
Fortunately, removing the hot mirror is very easy, and there are many, many, many, many walkthroughs.
Background:
One of the more common things in the last decade is laptop (and some desktop) producers using usb as a catch all bus, instead of dedicated hardware for peripherals. Instead of designing and including sometimes space intensive hardware for many parts, they just design with bridges with a few usb ports in mind, and hubs to expand them. Everything from keyboards to touchpads, fingerprint scanners, audio cards, sd/memory card readers, ir remote ports, touchscreen controllers, bluetooth, wireless and most importantly, webcams are built in as modules, using usb. Lets them reuse the same mainboard for multiple models in a modular design. On my Apple Macbook Pro, the camera, keyboard, trackpad, bluetooth, ir, and sd card are all USB devices. Even older, 1990's laptops had PS/2 and USB standard trackpads.
Your question:
Okay, so no picture needed. Aside from the obvious label on the back, some googling confirmed that the camera has no onboard regulator. This makes it slightly harder to use than just wiring it up to a spare cable. Oh, and the Connector between the motherboard and display part carries lvds for the display, power for the inverter/backlight, usb for the camera and audio for the mic. It's not lvds for all, just a combined flex cable.
That camera module uses USB, with standard drivers. But instead of using 5v, and then regulating it down as needed, it expects to be powered by 3.3v. Without a manufacturer schematic or detailed parts list, we can't tell if it is 5v tolerant, and should assume it is not.
The D-, D+, Gnd, and Shield Ground are easy. Those can be wired directly to the matching cables on a spare USB cable (Either cut off the end or find one that does it for you. Colors might not be the same, always check with a multimeter). Shield Ground could be omitted if needed, the computer you plug it into should have it connected on that end, but I suggest connecting it anyway.
The 3v3 line is harder. As stated, you should not connect 5v directly to it, you will fry something. You have to bring that 5v down. From best to simplest option:
- LDO Switching Regulator
- LDO Linear Regulator (LM1117-3.3 or similar)
- Zener Diode (3.3v)
- Two simple signal Diodes in series (1n4001 or similar)
A LDO would be recommended, especially if you are worried about perfection or your investment. Connect the USB 5v to the LDO with the appropriate caps (probably not even needed, but recommended), and the LDO output to the 3v3 line.
Or you can go with simple (and maybe a bit daring). A standard signal diodes will at a moderate current draw, drop 0.6 to 0.7 volts. Two in series with 5 volts in will drop 1.4 volts, bringing the line down to 3.6v, which is often enough to work within tolerances of most 3.3 devices. This is a very basic option, and not guaranteed to work, but is not unheard of (Especially usb bluetooth devices that do this, or for V-USB attiny projects or msp430 usb projects).
Examples of this being done (without the 3.3v regulator, not needed for those cameras):
Internal laptop webcam as External (Translated)
Internal laptop webcam board as external cam
Summary: This is not a common, but trivial mod. Connect D-, D+, Gnd and Shield Ground to matching USB wiring. Connect USB 5v to regulator circuit to bring to 3.3 (3.6v), and connect to 3v3 line. Install Drivers. Enjoy.
Best Answer
They're often called "board lenses". They can be either integrated in with the sensor, or interchangeable. The interchangeable ones are usually "M12":
http://www.m12lenses.com/Board-Lenses-s/12.htm
Usually devices with an autofocus will not have interchangeable lenses (since the lens is mounted on a voice coil driver). In your case, it looks to me like the lens is custom for the sensor and probably not something you will find a datasheet for.