Soft buttons lights on/off?

[GNS1310]

Never had an issue with my old phone, but since i got the new one, the lights keep going off. I actually prefer them on. I'll cover up the top of the phone to make them turn on, but they go off almost instantly. It's like there's too much light coming from the phone itself to make the soft lights stay on.
One fix is to go to the power control widget and set the brightness level to minimum (or 'off' I guess) and they stay on...that's fine at night or first thing in the morning, but I like my brightness cranked during the day.
Is there an on/off App or anything to better control the soft button lights?

edit:
I had Screen Filter on my old phone, but that was more for keeping the lights off, rather than keeping them on.

 

[Bhelios]

The only app available to control the bottom keys requires that your phone be rooted.

I haven't rooted yet but I'm considering it just because I want to run the bottom lights all the time.