Three methods to ensure your android display stays on and bright

The most common method found in the internet for keeping the display on is the one using a WakeLock:

PowerManager.WakeLock mWakeLock;

PowerManager pm = (PowerManager) getSystemService(Context.POWER_SERVICE);
 mWakeLock = pm.newWakeLock(PowerManager.SCREEN_BRIGHT_WAKE_LOCK, "HomeActivity");
mWakeLock.acquire();
// ... do your business ...
mWakeLock.release();

However, there are much simpler ways:

In your activity, call

getWindow().addFlags(WindowManager.LayoutParams.FLAG_KEEP_SCREEN_ON);

or

getCurrentFocus().setKeepScreenOn(true);

And you're done.