Natcore Technology Inc (NTCXF)

[teq0904]

nash ". Maybe the patents keep updating themselves so the lifespan would start with the the most recent...part of the layering."

Patents don't update themselves. A patent is a monopoly right the country gives you in exchange for divulging your secrets so others can use them after the patent expires.
I am actually paying for a US patent (application) within 10 days which started out as a provisional patent a year ago. Most patent ideas that need some r&d time to discover more about the science do a provisional first so they get a year to test and finesse their idea. The patent application does not get reviewed for a while either so it is just like the provisional (patent pending) however it holds the patent holder's place in line in case someone else comes along and tries to patent it.