can i store data in android sqlite when phonescreen is locked using service?

i am developing an application where i need to store data in sqlite when the screen is locked simply i will detect an input hardware in the headset socket .. read some data from it and store it in the sqlite also can i launch a specific service in an application when the device is detected ? i have searched and found that i cannot eep the service running for a long time in the background but also i cannot find any other workarounds could it be done using services ? also what will be the drawbacks on the performance ? and for how long i can keep the service running in the background