Constructive action of noise for impulsive noise removal in scalar images

A nonlinear variational approach to remove impulsive noise in scalar images is proposed. Taking benefit from recent studies on the use of stochastic resonance and the constructive role of noise in nonlinear processes, the process is based on the classical restoration process of Perona-Malik in which a Gaussian noise is purposely injected. It is shown that this new process can outperform the original restoration process of Perona-Malik.